Damaged Star horse

fredflinstone · 04/03/2006, 06:41 PM

Hi,

I recently got this star fish. Can someone let me know whats happening to this star?

The picture is in my galery and named as star.

Amphiprion · 04/03/2006, 06:43 PM

That usually doesn't bode well for the animal. When this occurs, there is extensive internal damage and it usually won't make it. Keep an eye out and remove it if necessary.

Avi · 04/03/2006, 07:16 PM

In cases like that...it could have happened by getting too close to a powerhead inlet, but it's difficult to know...it's best to take a single-edge razor blade, and cut off the leg about a half-inch below the damaged limb. It will be like cartledge, so be strong and make a clean cut. If the tank is generally healthy, the starfish should recover and regenerate it's "leg."

fredflinstone · 04/03/2006, 07:29 PM

I dont wish to cut it. I can either remove it totally or wait for it to regenerate. Which of this seems more likely? Could this be done by a predator? What usually causes this problem?

Avi · 04/03/2006, 07:46 PM

Well, I know you'd prefer not to cut it...just be aware though, that the way it is now, the surface areas through which bacteria can enter are like a thousand-fold as opposed to a clean cut.

04/03/2006, 06:41 PM	#1
fredflinstone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 271	Damaged Star horse Hi, I recently got this star fish. Can someone let me know whats happening to this star? The picture is in my galery and named as star.

04/03/2006, 06:43 PM	#2
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	That usually doesn't bode well for the animal. When this occurs, there is extensive internal damage and it usually won't make it. Keep an eye out and remove it if necessary. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

04/03/2006, 07:16 PM	#3
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	In cases like that...it could have happened by getting too close to a powerhead inlet, but it's difficult to know...it's best to take a single-edge razor blade, and cut off the leg about a half-inch below the damaged limb. It will be like cartledge, so be strong and make a clean cut. If the tank is generally healthy, the starfish should recover and regenerate it's "leg." __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

04/03/2006, 07:46 PM	#5
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, I know you'd prefer not to cut it...just be aware though, that the way it is now, the surface areas through which bacteria can enter are like a thousand-fold as opposed to a clean cut. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

04/03/2006, 07:29 PM	#4
fredflinstone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 271	I dont wish to cut it. I can either remove it totally or wait for it to regenerate. Which of this seems more likely? Could this be done by a predator? What usually causes this problem?