Is my starfish poorly

domgreenslade · 07-16-2011, 06:11 PM

Hello there, i am a new member just seeking some information, because, for lack of a better word, i am clueless.

I have just bought a blue starfish from my local aquarium shop for my saltwater aquarium. However, i there is a small hole in the center of his body, on the front, not the back. At first i thought it was his mouth, but after researching star fish, i cannot seem to find an explanation, as most info i do find or pictures i find, indicate that the mouth is on the underside, and most pictures show a smooth exterior with no 'gap' like mine.

There is a photo here of him, its not that clear, but you can quite clearly see the hole in the center of his body. What is it? Why is it there?

Many thanks

singlee118 · 08-03-2011, 04:33 AM

Why don't you ask the original vendor?

cooterbrown · 12-06-2011, 11:51 PM

blue linkia star fish are very hard to keep alive in aquaria to begin with. what are your tank specs? and water parameters. those help. if youve only had him a short time he may be able to recover. when starfish start to die they start "decomposing" on the tips of theyre arms and in the center of their disc like yours. if the tank is too small you need to target feed with small pieces of frozen food by placing him on top of them. if your water is pristeen and hes getting enough to eat. any starfish is hard to kill. thats the general rule.

Reefing Madness · 12-07-2011, 08:38 AM

The Blue Linckia Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip-acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerance to changes in water chemistry. The Blue Linckia Sea Star should never be exposed to air while handling, and should be carefully monitored for the presence of a small parasitic snail, Thyca crystallina. In the wild, the Blue Linckia Sea Star is capable of regenerating a new starfish from almost any portion of its body that might break off. In the home aquarium, this is far less likely.

Small pieces of clam meat or tablets can be placed under the Blue Linckia Sea Star starfish to supplement its diet.

07-16-2011, 06:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
domgreenslade Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 42 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is my starfish poorly Hello there, i am a new member just seeking some information, because, for lack of a better word, i am clueless. I have just bought a blue starfish from my local aquarium shop for my saltwater aquarium. However, i there is a small hole in the center of his body, on the front, not the back. At first i thought it was his mouth, but after researching star fish, i cannot seem to find an explanation, as most info i do find or pictures i find, indicate that the mouth is on the underside, and most pictures show a smooth exterior with no 'gap' like mine. There is a photo here of him, its not that clear, but you can quite clearly see the hole in the center of his body. What is it? Why is it there? Many thanks Last edited by domgreenslade : 07-16-2011 at 06:31 PM.

08-03-2011, 04:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
singlee118 sing Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 26 Name: sing lee Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 5 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Is my starfish poorly Why don't you ask the original vendor? __________________ Love me love my aquariums.

12-06-2011, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
cooterbrown Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 10 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Is my starfish poorly blue linkia star fish are very hard to keep alive in aquaria to begin with. what are your tank specs? and water parameters. those help. if youve only had him a short time he may be able to recover. when starfish start to die they start "decomposing" on the tips of theyre arms and in the center of their disc like yours. if the tank is too small you need to target feed with small pieces of frozen food by placing him on top of them. if your water is pristeen and hes getting enough to eat. any starfish is hard to kill. thats the general rule.

12-07-2011, 08:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Reefing Madness 240g Mixed Reef Reefing Madness's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,665 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,394 Times Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 946 Times in 923 Posts	Re: Is my starfish poorly The Blue Linckia Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip-acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerance to changes in water chemistry. The Blue Linckia Sea Star should never be exposed to air while handling, and should be carefully monitored for the presence of a small parasitic snail, Thyca crystallina. In the wild, the Blue Linckia Sea Star is capable of regenerating a new starfish from almost any portion of its body that might break off. In the home aquarium, this is far less likely. Small pieces of clam meat or tablets can be placed under the Blue Linckia Sea Star starfish to supplement its diet. __________________ http://s1050.photobucket.com/albums/...eefingMadness/

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