Please help Blue Linckia starfish

[eric w.]

I bought a blue linckia starfish yesterday. I drip acclimated him for 3 hours, and he seemed fine all day yesterday. Today when I turned the lights on I noticed that it had a couple of spots on it, and after taking a closer look it looked like it was actually coming out of the starfish. I have been keeping a eye on him all day and what ever it is it is definitely coming out of the starfish. I tested my water everything is good, and I have a serpent starfish that is fine as well as all the other livestock. The linckia starfish has been very active, and I even got him to eat some minced up shrimp last night. It looks like its guts are coming out I hope this isn't the case. Any thoughts on whats going on?

 

[eric w.]

Does anybody have any thoughts. The stuff coming out of his arms is gone, and he was left with a couple of holes but they all look like they are healing up pretty good. He has been very inactive ever since this happened, and I could really use some help with whats going on with him. I have tried looking up some stuff online, but have gotten nowhere with it

. Your thought would be appreciated thanks.

 

[meowzer]

Try to PM Ophiura...she is a mod, and is very knowledgable on sea stars...

 

[ophiura]

This is acclimation shock most likely, which could have happened at your LFS. What are your Specific parameters? What is perfect for fish is often fatal for these stars. They need very large, very mature reef tanks, and IMO most will die in our tanks.

 

[eric w.]

Temp 82
SG 1.026
pH 8.3
NH3 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
Phos 0.1-0.2
Silicates 0
Ca 480
I have a 90 gal. reef with 200+lbs of LR and 300 gal. sump with another 125lbs of LR.
The tank has been set up for about 10 years.

 

[ophiura]

Well that is certainly established! The real issue though comes down to what conditions it was in at your LFS. You probably have the best scenario for it at this point...stability is its only hope. But if the LFS has a specific gravity that is low - say less than 1.024, that could be part of the issue. Damage may have been done there.

 

[eric w.]

Well I guess I will just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. Thanks for your input.
Eric

 

[ophiura]

At some point, if that continues to progress but only on two arms, you may consider cutting off those two arms below the area.

 

[eric w.]

He is already almost all healed up. He just isn't very active.

 

[ophiura]

Can you keep posting pictures? It would be very nice to see that!! Especially in a series!

 

[eric w.]

My blue linckia starfish looks alot better now. He comes out every night and goes back in his cave every morning. I hope this is a sign of him doing better.

 

[ophiura]

Very cool

I would really appreciate it if you keep updating this thread as the months go on? It will be interesting to see!!

 

[novahobbies]

That's amazing. Usually when we see linckias in that bad of shape they almost never recover.....he must really feel happy in your system!

Hope he's still doing well.

 

[eric w.]

Just updating, the blue linckia starfish is all healed up and doing great.

 

[ophiura]

Excellent! Is it the angle, or are the arms a bit less chunky than the first pics?

 

[adee]

thats amazing!!! glad you didnt have to cut off those legs... we just got one ourselves today