Reef Discussion

[TunaBlue]

Hey guys I think somthing is eating my starfish. Or it's dying?

 

[Franklin Dattein]

It is most likely dissolving due to starvation. Most starfishes don't find their diets in captivity and starve to death around 6-12 months.

 

[Savage Henry]

It is most likely dissolving due to starvation. Most starfishes don't find their diets in captivity and starve to death around 6-12 months.

The Biscuit Starfish are known to have very poor survival rates.

Probably best you remove it and dispose of it asap.

 

[Sam Parker]

could also be melting due to incorrect temperature. I believe they like a cold tank, not the 25C we run

 

[Savage Henry]

could also be melting due to incorrect temperature. I believe they like a cold tank, not the 25C we run

I think you are right.

I see them all the time when snorkeling in Sydney. Beautiful, but definitely unsuitable for our tanks.

 

[TunaBlue]

Will my Nass snails eat it? Or should I remove it?

 

[MagicJ]

They will, but it might take a while - better off to remove it from the tank.

 

[IJG3145]

It is dying because you are running a tropical marine tank and these seastars cannot survive once the temperature hits 24C. Frankly LFS have no business selling these and almost never warn people that they are a sub-tropical species. There is no way to save it, it's too far gone.

 

[MagicJ]

Frankly LFS have no business selling these and almost never warn people that they are a sub-tropical species.

So, as a forum representing, in part, the Australian reefing hobbyist, what do you think we can do to stop the sale of these seastars?

 

[IJG3145]

So, as a forum representing, in part, the Australian reefing hobbyist, what do you think we can do to stop the sale of these seastars?

Stop buying them, but then that relies on buyers being informed and researching, which many don't. Honestly I'm buggered if I know. I'll say this though, it's one of the reasons I really respect Brett & Richard at Bunarong Aquarium, Frankston. They generally don't stock this type of thing and even with something like gonis, they will not sell them to you unless you can demonstrate a clear understanding of their specialised needs.

In my early days Brett outright refused to sell me something (don't recall what now) so I went elsewhere and got what I wanted. It died of course and it made me really sit up and take notice of the integrity shown at Bunarong. If more LFS were like that, this hobby would be easier for all and the hobby would be much more sustainable.

It's such a shame too because the Sea Biscuit is such a beautiful creature. I kept one for a few years in a tank specifically set up for the 20C-23C temperature range, alas I lost it during a heat wave. These creatures also have a bad habit of jamming themselves in between rocks and once tissue is torn they don't last long. I lost two that way and is the main reason I no longer keep them at all.

They don't 'seem' to have the regenerative powers of some other seastar species.