feather star

[antwon]

hello so today at the LFS i saw an absolutely GORGEOUS feather seastar. The arms were bright yellow, and the cirri(i think thats what they are called), are dark purple. I plan on putting it in my reef tank, but I didnt buy it because I am afraid of their care requirements. Has anyone kept these before and if so can somone give me some info on them. Thanks!!

 

[scott t]

Crinoid feather star. Crinoids are very challenging to maintain, and should only be purchased by the expert marine reef aquarist who can house the animal properly in a display with other NPS (Non-Photosynthetic) organisms. For optimum health this Crinoid Feather Sea Star should be target fed several times per day a diet of Zooplankton and Phytoplankton. This animal requires perfect water chemistry with moderate to strong water flow, and is very sensitive to even small traces of Nitrate and Phosphate in the water, as well as is sensitive to rapid fluctuations in Alkalinity.




Care Level: Expert Only







Temperament: Peaceful







Reef Compatible: Yes







Waterflow: Medium to Strong







Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025







Diet: Plankton Eater







Supplements: Trace Elements



They are the most primitive of the echinoderms, so much so that they only have a single opening that function as their "mouth" and "anus." This opening is located on the upper portion of their body. This configuration allows them to move the food, which they capture with their feathery arms, directly to their mouth and to expel waste so that the strong current in which they thrive in carries it away from their body. These animals have small "feet" called cirri, which they use to attach themselves to the reef. Once successfully perched in a spot, they expand their arms that act like nets to catch plankton and other foods as it passes across them on the reef. This behavior makes them appear like flowers or feathers blowing in the breeze.
The lack of strong surge and adequate food is probably the main reasons why these animals tend to fail in captivity. On the reef, large quantities of organic particulate matter constantly move across the reef so these animals can readily obtain adequate nutrition. Replicating these conditions in a closed environment is very difficult since large amounts of food allowed to float in the aquarium can rapidly cause conditions to deteriorate.
Furthermore, most systems do not have the water movement and surge that these animals seem to require. Evidence that these animals are not thriving is seen when these animals rapidly drop portions of their arms. In the wild, this is a natural defense mechanism and the arms rapidly grow back, but in captivity when the arms fall off very rarely do they grow back. Eventually all of the arms fall off and the animal has no means of capturing food and slowly starves to death. This happens in even the best systems where food is specifically given to these animals. Until we determine what is lacking for the proper care of these animals, feather stars should not be kept.
They are one of the most difficult animals to keep with long-term success. Only experienced hobbyists willing to provide for their demanding needs should attempt keeping them. Even so, success is not guaranteed so most hobbyists should not try to keep them and they should only rarely be imported.
I have never kept one but this is some info I have found on them.. HTH

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott T http:///forum/thread/382215/feather-star#post_3334080
Crinoid feather star. Crinoids are very challenging to maintain, and should only be purchased by the expert marine reef aquarist who can house the animal properly in a display with other NPS (Non-Photosynthetic) organisms. For optimum health this Crinoid Feather Sea Star should be target fed several times per day a diet of Zooplankton and Phytoplankton. This animal requires perfect water chemistry with moderate to strong water flow, and is very sensitive to even small traces of Nitrate and Phosphate in the water, as well as is sensitive to rapid fluctuations in Alkalinity.




Care Level: Expert Only







Temperament: Peaceful







Reef Compatible: Yes







Waterflow: Medium to Strong







Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025







Diet: Plankton Eater







Supplements: Trace Elements



They are the most primitive of the echinoderms, so much so that they only have a single opening that function as their "mouth" and "anus." This opening is located on the upper portion of their body. This configuration allows them to move the food, which they capture with their feathery arms, directly to their mouth and to expel waste so that the strong current in which they thrive in carries it away from their body. These animals have small "feet" called cirri, which they use to attach themselves to the reef. Once successfully perched in a spot, they expand their arms that act like nets to catch plankton and other foods as it passes across them on the reef. This behavior makes them appear like flowers or feathers blowing in the breeze.
The lack of strong surge and adequate food is probably the main reasons why these animals tend to fail in captivity. On the reef, large quantities of organic particulate matter constantly move across the reef so these animals can readily obtain adequate nutrition. Replicating these conditions in a closed environment is very difficult since large amounts of food allowed to float in the aquarium can rapidly cause conditions to deteriorate.
Furthermore, most systems do not have the water movement and surge that these animals seem to require. Evidence that these animals are not thriving is seen when these animals rapidly drop portions of their arms. In the wild, this is a natural defense mechanism and the arms rapidly grow back, but in captivity when the arms fall off very rarely do they grow back. Eventually all of the arms fall off and the animal has no means of capturing food and slowly starves to death. This happens in even the best systems where food is specifically given to these animals. Until we determine what is lacking for the proper care of these animals, feather stars should not be kept.
They are one of the most difficult animals to keep with long-term success. Only experienced hobbyists willing to provide for their demanding needs should attempt keeping them. Even so, success is not guaranteed so most hobbyists should not try to keep them and they should only rarely be imported.
I have never kept one but this is some info I have found on them.. HTH
I would have to say that this specimen is best left in the wild.

 

[scott t]

+1 I agree with you there Gemmy

 

[antwon]

considering im a beginner coral hobbyist.....+1,000

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by antwon http:///forum/thread/382215/feather-star#post_3334088
considering im a beginner coral hobbyist.....+1,000
There are just somethings that are better left in their natural Habitats. Some things just dont belong in our tanks and this is def. one of those things.. There are many other beautiful things that you can put in your tank that will do well. There are other Starfish that are very nice that are reef safe and easier to keep.. Keep looking I am sure you will find one that catches your eye..

 

[btldreef]

I am very much of the belief that a fish store that stocks these creatures should be boycotted.
I wouldn't even refer to them as "Expert Only", I'd refer to them as "99% Chance of dying in your tank." They belong in the wild and lately I'm seeing more and more of them available in the hobby. It's said that more and more LFS's are buying things that they know people will buy just because they're "pretty" and "have never seen that before." As the stores are having a harder and harder time keeping clients due to the economy, they're starting to care less and less about what's best for the animals and more about what's best for their wallet. I get it, to a point, but where does the line get drawn.
Anyone that sees a Feather Star available in a LFS should reprimand the owner and walk out.

 

[spanko]

Not impossible to keep this specimen, but certainly not a critter that the novice reefer should even be considering. I have seen many non-photosynthetic tanks that are keeping feather stars. These tanks are IMO state of the art tanks with automatic feeding equipment that is dosing food into the tank at 15-30 minute intervals.
I don't agree that they should be left in the wild but I do think that they should be expensive enough, special order only, that a reefer thinking about getting one would have to do extensive amounts of study and equipment purchases to even think about getting one.
JMO