ophiura
Active Member
Leave the star alone, what is done is done.
You have lots of LR and it should have enough to eat, though we don't know what it is exactly. They most likely consume algal and bacterial films, the critters that eat it, and/or other encrusting animals like sponges (not pineapple sponges most likely). The key is having a large, stable, mature tank with lots of LR, and no competitors. In this case, I think this is the absolute min tank size for this type of star.
It is most likely not a Linckia at all. It is possibly Henricia or something else but that hardly matters. It is in the same family as Linckia.
The part about having it exposed to air, or touched is somewhat of an old wive's tale assuming you do not leave it out long, or have particularly nasty habits with your hands
The acclimation should have been much longer, but what can be done now? If the animal starts to disintegrate, or get white mucus spots on it (especially the arm tips) within the next month, it is suffering from osmotic shock from the transport and acclimation.
Be very careful with any water changes as this can cause shock as well. Any sudden fluctuations in ph, alk or specific gravity can cause trouble.
What are these parameters in your tank? Specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026. Tank should be at least 6 months old, preferably much older.
This is it on your reef safe seastars, regardless of how small they are Competition for the same limited food is bad, and, indeed, they can not be spot fed successfully in most cases.
Success can not be claimed with any of these sea stars until they have been kept more than a year, as they take 9-12 months to starve to death. As mentioned, they may take a month or so to show signs of transportation stress. A few weeks is certainly not enough time to make that judgement.
Best of luck!
You have lots of LR and it should have enough to eat, though we don't know what it is exactly. They most likely consume algal and bacterial films, the critters that eat it, and/or other encrusting animals like sponges (not pineapple sponges most likely). The key is having a large, stable, mature tank with lots of LR, and no competitors. In this case, I think this is the absolute min tank size for this type of star.
It is most likely not a Linckia at all. It is possibly Henricia or something else but that hardly matters. It is in the same family as Linckia.
The part about having it exposed to air, or touched is somewhat of an old wive's tale assuming you do not leave it out long, or have particularly nasty habits with your hands
The acclimation should have been much longer, but what can be done now? If the animal starts to disintegrate, or get white mucus spots on it (especially the arm tips) within the next month, it is suffering from osmotic shock from the transport and acclimation.
Be very careful with any water changes as this can cause shock as well. Any sudden fluctuations in ph, alk or specific gravity can cause trouble.
What are these parameters in your tank? Specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026. Tank should be at least 6 months old, preferably much older.
This is it on your reef safe seastars, regardless of how small they are
Competition for the same limited food is bad, and, indeed, they can not be spot fed successfully in most cases.Success can not be claimed with any of these sea stars until they have been kept more than a year, as they take 9-12 months to starve to death. As mentioned, they may take a month or so to show signs of transportation stress. A few weeks is certainly not enough time to make that judgement.
Best of luck!