fromia starfish advice

buzzer · 04/23/2007, 12:11 PM

Calling all owners of the fromia starfish
I have recently bought a fromia elegans and after a 4 hour drip acclimation he seems to be doing well moving around the tank in a fairly lively manner although sometimes stopping in one place for a few hours.
Anyway I have heard conflicting reports on the net about target feeding this animal.
I have a refugium which is home to many micro-organisms and i also see these in the tank.
The tank has been running for 3 years now and has a fair but not unsightly amount of algae in the tank.
Params are Nitrate 0, Phosphate 0 (undetectable), temp constant 79f
If I do have to terget feed how do I go about it.
Thanks in advance.

The Saltwater Kid · 04/23/2007, 02:03 PM

I have a Pink Batik Tile Starfish that is in the same family I believe. I am in the same situation in that I don't have a lot of excess algae but i do have a healthy pod population in my main tank. Mine also cruises the tank but very slooooooowwwllyy and often stays in one spot for hours on end but other then that he appears very healthy. I haven't target fed him at all.

seapug · 04/23/2007, 02:25 PM

If your tank is large and healthy most Fromias will do fine. There's a lot more crap for them to eat that you might think. If they don't die or suffer too much in transport/acclimation and you have no starfish predators in your tank they will get by on their own. Moving slowly and sitting in one spot for long periods is what they do. As long as it isn't dissolving just leave it be. It'll move when it wants.

buzzer · 04/23/2007, 03:02 PM

Thanks for the quick response chaps.
I have heard that you can possibly feed pieces of frozen mysis to them, does anyone know if this is true and if so what would be the best way.
I was thinking when on the front glass for easy observation using tweezers and hold it next to it to see if any response is given.

seapug · 04/23/2007, 04:12 PM

i've read some people who make "sushi" for their starfish with a piece of shrimp wrapped in nori. It might work but probably not neccesary. I'd also be careful about putting anything metal near the starfish. They have very sensitive tissue and nervous systems and the presence of the very unnatural metal tweezers dangling near them is probably not going to do much trigger a rapid feeding response, if such a thing exists. You really are best off to let the poor creature be. It's probably been through enough lately! I've had a healthy, growing Fromia in my system for over a year and have never once intentionally fed it.

04/23/2007, 12:11 PM	#1
buzzer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 413	fromia starfish advice Calling all owners of the fromia starfish I have recently bought a fromia elegans and after a 4 hour drip acclimation he seems to be doing well moving around the tank in a fairly lively manner although sometimes stopping in one place for a few hours. Anyway I have heard conflicting reports on the net about target feeding this animal. I have a refugium which is home to many micro-organisms and i also see these in the tank. The tank has been running for 3 years now and has a fair but not unsightly amount of algae in the tank. Params are Nitrate 0, Phosphate 0 (undetectable), temp constant 79f If I do have to terget feed how do I go about it. Thanks in advance.

04/23/2007, 02:03 PM	#2
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	I have a Pink Batik Tile Starfish that is in the same family I believe. I am in the same situation in that I don't have a lot of excess algae but i do have a healthy pod population in my main tank. Mine also cruises the tank but very slooooooowwwllyy and often stays in one spot for hours on end but other then that he appears very healthy. I haven't target fed him at all. __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

04/23/2007, 02:25 PM	#3
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	If your tank is large and healthy most Fromias will do fine. There's a lot more crap for them to eat that you might think. If they don't die or suffer too much in transport/acclimation and you have no starfish predators in your tank they will get by on their own. Moving slowly and sitting in one spot for long periods is what they do. As long as it isn't dissolving just leave it be. It'll move when it wants. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/23/2007, 04:12 PM	#5
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	i've read some people who make "sushi" for their starfish with a piece of shrimp wrapped in nori. It might work but probably not neccesary. I'd also be careful about putting anything metal near the starfish. They have very sensitive tissue and nervous systems and the presence of the very unnatural metal tweezers dangling near them is probably not going to do much trigger a rapid feeding response, if such a thing exists. You really are best off to let the poor creature be. It's probably been through enough lately! I've had a healthy, growing Fromia in my system for over a year and have never once intentionally fed it. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/23/2007, 03:02 PM	#4
buzzer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 413	Thanks for the quick response chaps. I have heard that you can possibly feed pieces of frozen mysis to them, does anyone know if this is true and if so what would be the best way. I was thinking when on the front glass for easy observation using tweezers and hold it next to it to see if any response is given.