HELP!! Red Linka star

[nickadam]

I had just noticed My red linka star has been being nibbled on by something else in the tank.. One of the legs looks like something is picking off it.. Has this happened to anyone elses linka and figured out what the problem was..PLEASE HELPPP

 

[corally]

How long have you had it?

 

[lion_crazz]

It could be decaying just because linkas are so difficult to care for. Like asked, how long have you had it?

 

[nickadam]

Ive probably had it for about 3 or 4 weeks. Just the other day it was healthy and orange and doing fine not sure what could cause this. he has been doing well just noticed.MY water parematers are ...
Nitrites 0
ammonia0
nitrate40 high
ph 8.0
salinity 1.021
calcium is 420

 

[promisetbg]

How did you acclimate the star? They must be drip acclimated for three hours...and whoever handled it before you got it must also have done the same. It's called osmotic shock..and sometimes it does'nt show up until a few weeks later. They also do not take to any fluctuations in parameters well.

 

[lion_crazz]

Yeah, acclimation would be my next question as well.

 

[corally]

also, your salinity is WAY to low. It should be 1.025 or 1.026 for inverts

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by corally
also, your salinity is WAY to low. It should be 1.025 or 1.026 for inverts
oh yeah, good observation!

 

[kjord97]

They are very picky stars. you need to have alot of food source in the tank for them to survive well. I know my orange one is all over the tank. In 20 minutes i can watch it go from one side of the 125 to other, and they do not care what is in the way, running over everything. I have had mine for about a year and still looking great.

 

[daninct]

I had the same thing happen to my blue after two weeks. Your replies here helped me understand. I also had low salinity and I dripped only 1.5 hours. Now I know better.