How do I know if my star is dead

French Wright · 08/05/2008, 11:44 AM

I have a blue linkia star. He has not mover in some time, but he did move a little about 12 hours ago. He has never been very mobile to begin with. He is bent in what looks like an uncomfortable position.

Also, his "seams" are open on his arms.

I did a 20% water change this weekend, with warm, aged salt water.

Is there a sure fire way to know if he has died?

Sk8r · 08/05/2008, 11:46 AM

He's dead.
The fish store should not sell a linckia to anbody without a 200g reef with old rock---period.
You really should not have any starfish in a 55g. Either they will starve because all they eat is rock film off really aged rock, like a linckia, or they will deplete your sandbed and then die of starvation.

mindytoy · 08/05/2008, 12:23 PM

so no starfish can survive under a 200gal tank??

ive seen some in 55s!

idk what they eat though

French Wright · 08/05/2008, 12:33 PM

If it was dead, wouldn't the hermits or emerals crab or other fish start eating it?no one has had a nibble yet.

Sk8r · 08/05/2008, 12:43 PM

It's possible then that it's not quite dead, if the undertakers haven't gotten to it, but without film algae to eat it's in serious trouble. Best bet: give it back to the lfs and have them put it where it can eat.

Well, the problem with starfish in 55s is that they die soon. I have a very mature 55 with lots to eat for practically everybody, but I'm not going to get a linkia, much as I'd love to have one, because I don't think I can feed it more than a couple of months.

08/05/2008, 11:44 AM	#1
French Wright Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 45	How do I know if my star is dead I have a blue linkia star. He has not mover in some time, but he did move a little about 12 hours ago. He has never been very mobile to begin with. He is bent in what looks like an uncomfortable position. Also, his "seams" are open on his arms. I did a 20% water change this weekend, with warm, aged salt water. Is there a sure fire way to know if he has died?

08/05/2008, 11:46 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	He's dead. The fish store should not sell a linckia to anbody without a 200g reef with old rock---period. You really should not have any starfish in a 55g. Either they will starve because all they eat is rock film off really aged rock, like a linckia, or they will deplete your sandbed and then die of starvation. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/05/2008, 12:23 PM	#3
mindytoy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: el paso texas Posts: 1,696	so no starfish can survive under a 200gal tank?? ive seen some in 55s! idk what they eat though __________________ beautiful ocean right at home Current Tank Info: 90 gal surfline, remora skimmer 120gal, 2 powerheads, 4 cooling fans, cbr HOB fuge, nova extreme 4x54t5, ac-300, 125lbs of live rock corals, etc!

08/05/2008, 12:43 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It's possible then that it's not quite dead, if the undertakers haven't gotten to it, but without film algae to eat it's in serious trouble. Best bet: give it back to the lfs and have them put it where it can eat. Well, the problem with starfish in 55s is that they die soon. I have a very mature 55 with lots to eat for practically everybody, but I'm not going to get a linkia, much as I'd love to have one, because I don't think I can feed it more than a couple of months. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/05/2008, 12:33 PM	#4
French Wright Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 45	If it was dead, wouldn't the hermits or emerals crab or other fish start eating it?no one has had a nibble yet.