Starfish lost two legs this weekend. Whodunit?

scottbeyer101 · 11/05/2018, 05:10 PM

Sometime between Thursday and today, Patrick lost some legs. I will move him to the frag tank to recover, but who knows whodunit?

He has been in there since June with no incident. The only more recent addition is a juvenile niger trigger.

Other fish include:
Hippo tang
Purple tang
Yellow tang
Clowns 2
Bengai Cardinal
Azure damsel
Marine beta
6 cromis
Yellow coris wrasse 2
Coral beauty angel
Potter’s angel
Mandarin dragonet
Cleanup: hermits, conchs, urchin, emeralds and another large, generic starfish.

I will put him in the frag tank to recover, but who is the predator please?

Sugar Magnolia · 11/07/2018, 08:57 AM

It's usually a sign that it's dying.

shred5 · 11/07/2018, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

It's usually a sign that it's dying.

Agreed when they start loosing legs it is a sign something is wrong.
allot of Starfish are extremely touchy.

scottbeyer101 · 11/07/2018, 11:53 AM

Could it happen that fast tho? Less than a week? Nothing happening with my water, as my acros tell me everything I need to know real quick.

Here was a theory my LFS suggested: the dreaded MP40 got him. I don't wrap them in the foam cover. Maybe I should.

I slow dripped him into the frag tank but he is not happy at all.

albano · 11/07/2018, 03:01 PM

IME, forget about stars other than serpent and brittle.

What's the LFS near 06840?

shred5 · 11/07/2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbeyer101

Could it happen that fast tho? Less than a week? Nothing happening with my water, as my acros tell me everything I need to know real quick.

Here was a theory my LFS suggested: the dreaded MP40 got him. I don't wrap them in the foam cover. Maybe I should.

I slow dripped him into the frag tank but he is not happy at all.

Its very possible a mp40 did it.
Also yes they can go fast even faster than a week.
I had one look fine and the next day his leg was rotten and then gone.
Hard to tell from the picture but he looks healthy still.. Some starfish can grow legs back.

scottbeyer101 · 11/07/2018, 05:47 PM

@shred5 yeah I saw no rot before (but was away 4 days) and that is why the LFS thought it was a powerhead bite. MP-40 is fine but will see if the fromia recovers.
@albano yes got plenty of those brittles and serpents lurking in the rock. The fromia starfish was for the family. Will replace before the kids notice.

My (most) local is Life Aquatic. They just moved (about 200 yards) so his coral and fish systems are just coming back online piecemeal so give it a few more weeks. I got a behind the scenes look at what is involved in moving large integrated fish systems and it is a sh**storm for sure. Owner is a good guy, young retiree, and doing this for fun.

lifeoffaith · 11/07/2018, 06:42 PM

I would avoid all but brittle and serpent starfish. They will all eventually die unless they're in a huge tank.

norfolkgarden · 11/12/2018, 10:16 PM

If you have a lot of asterina starfish they will outcompete the fromia or linkia.

Currently we have a 1.5" red fromia for 9 months.

Have heard they can take up to a year to starve to death.

Hoping this one will be ok.

11/07/2018, 08:57 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	It's usually a sign that it's dying. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

11/07/2018, 11:53 AM	#4
scottbeyer101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: 06840 Posts: 23	Could it happen that fast tho? Less than a week? Nothing happening with my water, as my acros tell me everything I need to know real quick. Here was a theory my LFS suggested: the dreaded MP40 got him. I don't wrap them in the foam cover. Maybe I should. I slow dripped him into the frag tank but he is not happy at all. __________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Mixed Reef RSR 525XL, APEX, 3 X Hydra 26, Sicce SDC 9 return, MP 40, Maxspect

11/07/2018, 03:01 PM	#5
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	IME, forget about stars other than serpent and brittle. What's the LFS near 06840? __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

11/07/2018, 05:47 PM	#7
scottbeyer101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: 06840 Posts: 23	@shred5 yeah I saw no rot before (but was away 4 days) and that is why the LFS thought it was a powerhead bite. MP-40 is fine but will see if the fromia recovers. @albano yes got plenty of those brittles and serpents lurking in the rock. The fromia starfish was for the family. Will replace before the kids notice. My (most) local is Life Aquatic. They just moved (about 200 yards) so his coral and fish systems are just coming back online piecemeal so give it a few more weeks. I got a behind the scenes look at what is involved in moving large integrated fish systems and it is a sh**storm for sure. Owner is a good guy, young retiree, and doing this for fun. __________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Mixed Reef RSR 525XL, APEX, 3 X Hydra 26, Sicce SDC 9 return, MP 40, Maxspect

11/07/2018, 06:42 PM	#8
lifeoffaith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Grand Rapids MI area Posts: 737	I would avoid all but brittle and serpent starfish. They will all eventually die unless they're in a huge tank.

11/12/2018, 10:16 PM	#9
norfolkgarden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia, USA Posts: 258	If you have a lot of asterina starfish they will outcompete the fromia or linkia. Currently we have a 1.5" red fromia for 9 months. Have heard they can take up to a year to starve to death. Hoping this one will be ok.