Dead Brittle Star?

doahh

Member
I just put on in my tank 2 hours ago and it immediately went to the back of the tank behind the rocks. I thought this was normal and whatnot so I left it there. 2 hours later and it hasn't moved so I fished it out into the front of the tank. It's still not moving. It could be normal but I want someone else to back my thoughts up. The 3 hermits and sand sifting star are doing just fine as with the Blue Damsel that was already there.
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Leave it alone. If it is dead, it will become food for the cleaning crew.
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Doahh
I just put on in my tank 2 hours ago and it immediately went to the back of the tank behind the rocks. I thought this was normal and whatnot so I left it there. 2 hours later and it hasn't moved so I fished it out into the front of the tank. It's still not moving. It could be normal but I want someone else to back my thoughts up. The 3 hermits and sand sifting star are doing just fine as with the Blue Damsel that was already there.
How did you acclimate this star? What are your exact water parameters for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Ph, SG, and temp? Do not move the star, they go where they feel most comfortable.
 

baloo6969

Member
if it's chilling, let it be. It's probably stressed out...or dead. If it's dead something will probably naw on it tonight. If you see a big gaping hole in it, it's ceased to be…pull it out, if it died because of infection or something strange like that you don’t want your expensive items eating it. Don’t jump the gun, my orange linka didn’t move for 3 days before it tried to escape…I think it was playing dead
 

doahh

Member
PH: 8.4
SG: I really need a refractometer or even a hydrometer
Ammonia .25 (Was 0 before I put the fish in at around 5:30)
Nitrites: 0
Trates: 0
Temp: 82
I was TOLD I didn't need to acclimate it but I decided to take out one squeeze bulb of turkey baster and put 2 in slowly... other than that just floated them for 15 mins
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Doahh
PH: 8.4
SG: I really need a refractometer or even a hydrometer
Ammonia .25 (Was 0 before I put the fish in at around 5:30)
Nitrites: 0
Trates: 0
Temp: 82
I was TOLD I didn't need to acclimate it but I decided to take out one squeeze bulb of turkey baster and put 2 in slowly... other than that just floated them for 15 mins
All of this is the reason he isn't doing well. Stars need 4-5hr drip acclimation, no ammonia, and an SG of 1.026 If he dies, I would take him out. It will be a slow process. Stars can take a month to die of acclimation shock. Limbs will fall off. It isn't pretty.
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Doahh
The ammonia was at 0... and my sand sifting tar is doing fine
How long have you had the sand sifter? What size tank do you have?
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Doahh
Sand sifter was put in at the same time around 5:30...
It's a 20 gallon with live rock
That sand sifter will not likely make it either. Sand sifters will deplete a 210 within a few months then starve to death. Who gave you the advice to get these animals? How long has your tank been set up? Like I said, it can take a month of slow death for acclimation shock to realy finish the animal.
 

doahh

Member
The tank has been up for 2 weeks... All levels were to zero for 3 days... and the LFS gave me the advice to get these inverts as a cleaning crew. All 3 of the people there agreed. it's also a really small one... around 3 inches from one side to the other
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Doahh
The tank has been up for 2 weeks... All levels were to zero for 3 days... and the LFS gave me the advice to get these inverts as a cleaning crew. All 3 of the people there agreed. it's also a really small one... around 3 inches from one side to the other
That is the common advice from an LFS, and is so completely wrong. Did you cycle this tank? All stars need a well established system of 8 months old or more. The sand sifters grow large and decimate your sand bed. I have no reason to lie to you. I am not making a profit off of you. I see this kind f thing all of the ime. LFS's want to make money. Your LFS gave you some very bad advice.
 

larryndana

Active Member
Originally Posted by Doahh
SG: I really need a refractometer or even a hydrometer
I was TOLD I didn't need to acclimate it but I decided to take out one squeeze bulb of turkey baster and put 2 in slowly... other than that just floated them for 15 mins
huh, you do need a way to check your SG. stars require inbetween 1.025-.026. do you mix your own water?
if your lfs told you, you didn't need to acclimate a star....he/she is an IDIOT. i would be afraid of what i am buying as well. they may not be acclimating them correctly when you get them. doesn't matter how well of an acclimation procedure you have....your lfs may start something that is irreversible.
 

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by larryndana
on a good note stars can make a miraculous recovery, so good luck.
Absolutely
Unfortunately acclimtion shock is irreversible.
 

kevinscrabs

New Member
You might need body to do return/exchange, and ive had to learn the hard way seems like lfs kids and adults dont sometimes know anything about what their selling!!!
 
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