Urgent Help Required?

ckrhone · 08/22/2006, 10:38 AM

I would have gone on the invert forum but there hardly seems to be anyone about so here goes:

I have a seriuos problem with my starfish in the tank at the moment. There are no known predators in the tank but the legs as it were look like they are being slowly eaten away. The starfish look as though they are slowly getting smaller as they are eaten.

How can I halt this? Are there any bacterial infections that can cause this that can be treated?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thank you!

Paco1l1d · 08/22/2006, 10:48 AM

What fish if any are in the tank, What are your water parameters?
We can better help you with this information.

ckrhone · 08/22/2006, 10:53 AM

All water parameters are normal or within acceptable marine range. The only factor that is still being addressed are the nitrates which are at 20ppm.

Fish: Flame Angel Fish; 2 Percula's; Reef Chromis; Goatfish; 2 pipefish.

Water conditions are quite good since the pipefish are fine and very much settled.

thanks

grips · 08/22/2006, 11:03 AM

What kind of starfish is it?

ckrhone · 08/22/2006, 01:29 PM

They are all sand sifters to turn the gravel over. There are five of them and they are all affected in different degrees.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/22/2006, 01:51 PM

Most likely what is happening is the starfish is dying, not being eaten. In fact, it's probably starving to death. This is the most common cause of startfish death. A close second is caused by improper acclimation. Lastly, bad water parameters will probably be third.

Also, five sand sifter stars are WAAYYY too much in a 100g reef. I wouldn't put more than two in a tank that size. And one would be better.

Paco1l1d · 08/22/2006, 02:12 PM

Agreed with starvation, have you tried feeding them? place a small piece of shrimp or fish under the arms and see if they eat it.
This may halt the degeneration of the arms until you can trade/giveaway a few or most of them.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/22/2006, 02:42 PM

Or you could "humanely" feed them to some starving Harlequin Shrimp. Cruel, but at least they won't wither away and another creature will be able to use them as food.

Avast Marine · 08/22/2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis L. Stevens
Or you could "humanely" feed them to some starving Harlequin Shrimp. Cruel, but at least they won't wither away and another creature will be able to use them as food.

I have considered this in the past as, harlequins are one of my favs. I had thought that keeping a few starfish in a seperate 10G tank and cutting an arm off as needed. I wasn't sure on food need vs. regeneration time so I have yet to try it.

Travis L. Stevens · 08/22/2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dandy7200
I have considered this in the past as, harlequins are one of my favs. I had thought that keeping a few starfish in a seperate 10G tank and cutting an arm off as needed. I wasn't sure on food need vs. regeneration time so I have yet to try it.

Since that is starting to slightly be off topic or the possibility of thread hijacking, I'll give you a PM. Sooooo, YGPM

08/22/2006, 10:38 AM	#1
ckrhone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom Posts: 166	Urgent Help Required? I would have gone on the invert forum but there hardly seems to be anyone about so here goes: I have a seriuos problem with my starfish in the tank at the moment. There are no known predators in the tank but the legs as it were look like they are being slowly eaten away. The starfish look as though they are slowly getting smaller as they are eaten. How can I halt this? Are there any bacterial infections that can cause this that can be treated? Any help gratefully appreciated. Thank you!

08/22/2006, 10:48 AM	#2
Paco1l1d Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: mars Posts: 321	What fish if any are in the tank, What are your water parameters? We can better help you with this information. __________________ <'}}}}}>< Current Tank Info: 90 starfire cube colorful stick tank, 5 gallon fuge, 10 gal sump

08/22/2006, 10:53 AM	#3
ckrhone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom Posts: 166	Tank details All water parameters are normal or within acceptable marine range. The only factor that is still being addressed are the nitrates which are at 20ppm. Fish: Flame Angel Fish; 2 Percula's; Reef Chromis; Goatfish; 2 pipefish. Water conditions are quite good since the pipefish are fine and very much settled. thanks

08/22/2006, 11:03 AM	#4
grips Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Galesburg, IL Posts: 61	What kind of starfish is it? __________________ I use a powerhead to mix kool-aid. Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Reef, 20 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, ASM G3, 110 lbs. LR., Tunze Stream TS12 kit

08/22/2006, 01:29 PM	#5
ckrhone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom Posts: 166	Type of star fish They are all sand sifters to turn the gravel over. There are five of them and they are all affected in different degrees.

08/22/2006, 01:51 PM	#6
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Most likely what is happening is the starfish is dying, not being eaten. In fact, it's probably starving to death. This is the most common cause of startfish death. A close second is caused by improper acclimation. Lastly, bad water parameters will probably be third. Also, five sand sifter stars are WAAYYY too much in a 100g reef. I wouldn't put more than two in a tank that size. And one would be better. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

08/22/2006, 02:12 PM	#7
Paco1l1d Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: mars Posts: 321	Agreed with starvation, have you tried feeding them? place a small piece of shrimp or fish under the arms and see if they eat it. This may halt the degeneration of the arms until you can trade/giveaway a few or most of them. __________________ <'}}}}}>< Current Tank Info: 90 starfire cube colorful stick tank, 5 gallon fuge, 10 gal sump

08/22/2006, 02:42 PM	#8
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Or you could "humanely" feed them to some starving Harlequin Shrimp. Cruel, but at least they won't wither away and another creature will be able to use them as food. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront