sand sifting star dieing?
- Thread starter evanjah
- Start date
cedarreef
Member
I would take him out. Sand sifting stars do poorly in our systems, unfortunately. They are great scavengers, but without an extremely large tanks without tons of live rock, they quickly starve. Consider yourself lucky to have found him now. Most sand sifters bury themselves in the substrate and die only to turn your tank into a ticking time bomb.
ophiura
Active Member
Most of these will die in a month (of acclimation shock) or in about a year of starvation. They basically disintegrate.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
oceansidefish
Active Member
Although I have one in my 120 I would not recommend getting one or keeping one. Somehow I have managed to keep mine alive for about a year and a half now. However I would never buy another one, although he is a pretty good sand sifter.
sminker
Member
Originally Posted by Oceansidefish
http:///forum/post/3079098
Although I have one in my 120 I would not recommend getting one or keeping one. Somehow I have managed to keep mine alive for about a year and a half now. However I would never buy another one, although he is a pretty good sand sifter.
I agree, i would probably never buy another.
Ive had mine for about 9 months and he has actually grown about 1 1/2.
I would never consider one in anything smaller than a 125. You need alot of sand/rock to support its feeding habits.
http:///forum/post/3079098
Although I have one in my 120 I would not recommend getting one or keeping one. Somehow I have managed to keep mine alive for about a year and a half now. However I would never buy another one, although he is a pretty good sand sifter.
I agree, i would probably never buy another.
Ive had mine for about 9 months and he has actually grown about 1 1/2.
I would never consider one in anything smaller than a 125. You need alot of sand/rock to support its feeding habits.
windlasher
Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3079079
Most of these will die in a month (of acclimation shock) or in about a year of starvation. They basically disintegrate.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
i have one in my 90 and one in my 220. they are doing quite well, getting bigger and have been for more than a year. of course I am a notorious over feeder so maybe thats why.
how about the freezer thingy. wouldn't that be more painless?
http:///forum/post/3079079
Most of these will die in a month (of acclimation shock) or in about a year of starvation. They basically disintegrate.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
i have one in my 90 and one in my 220. they are doing quite well, getting bigger and have been for more than a year. of course I am a notorious over feeder so maybe thats why.
how about the freezer thingy. wouldn't that be more painless?
ophiura
Active Member
The 220 is not an issue for keeping them, for the most part. The 90, depending on amount of LR, is marginal, IMO. Many will do well and then take a turn at 18 months, but not all. Some will do ok. However it is not the norm in most cases. Regardless, there are exceptions. I just don't recommend animals on the exceptions
In addition, they are eating the beneficial microfauna in a sand bed, so this is a primary reason I would not recommend them (I similarly do not recommend sand sifting gobies). That is a consideration, at least for people who want a functional DSB.
I am not usually a fan of the freezer method but it can be done. Slowly dissolving epsom salts in a shallow pan of water works as well.
In addition, they are eating the beneficial microfauna in a sand bed, so this is a primary reason I would not recommend them (I similarly do not recommend sand sifting gobies). That is a consideration, at least for people who want a functional DSB.
I am not usually a fan of the freezer method but it can be done. Slowly dissolving epsom salts in a shallow pan of water works as well.
coral keeper
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3079079
Most of these will die in a month (of acclimation shock) or in about a year of starvation. They basically disintegrate.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
Whats the best starfish you would recommend for a 180 gallon reef with at least 200 lb or so of liverock other than serpent and brittle stars?
http:///forum/post/3079079
Most of these will die in a month (of acclimation shock) or in about a year of starvation. They basically disintegrate.
Depending on your tank parameters it could possibly recover, but it depends on how long you've had it and why it is dying. Most likely it can not be salvaged. If you think it is still partly "alive" you can "euthanize" it by doing a reverse acclimation (eg putting it in a bucket with some tank water and slowly adding freshwater). This will effectively relax it and eventually kill it.
Whats the best starfish you would recommend for a 180 gallon reef with at least 200 lb or so of liverock other than serpent and brittle stars?
ophiura
Active Member
I don't "recommend" them but a Linckia star would probably be ok. A couple of Linckia multiflora (which will probably reproduce) or a single blue Linckia. You might be able to do an orange and a burgandy...but overall whenever multiples are added, it reduces the chance of survival.
coral keeper
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3079732
I don't "recommend" them but a Linckia star would probably be ok. A couple of Linckia multiflora (which will probably reproduce) or a single blue Linckia. You might be able to do an orange and a burgandy...but overall whenever multiples are added, it reduces the chance of survival.
Oh, ok. I'll go with one Blue Linckia then.
Thanks for the info! Also, how do I tell that a Blue Linckia is healthy? I've seen 2 at a LFS for like $15 I believe.
http:///forum/post/3079732
I don't "recommend" them but a Linckia star would probably be ok. A couple of Linckia multiflora (which will probably reproduce) or a single blue Linckia. You might be able to do an orange and a burgandy...but overall whenever multiples are added, it reduces the chance of survival.
Oh, ok. I'll go with one Blue Linckia then.
Thanks for the info! Also, how do I tell that a Blue Linckia is healthy? I've seen 2 at a LFS for like $15 I believe.
ophiura
Active Member
I would wait, however, AT LEAST 6 months before adding one.
You should ask the specific gravity of their invert systems. If less than 1.024, I would not bother.
If they are limp, look caved in, have stuff hanging from their mouth, have whitish patches on the arms...these are all bad signs, just to start. But many will not show this at all.
You should ask the specific gravity of their invert systems. If less than 1.024, I would not bother.
If they are limp, look caved in, have stuff hanging from their mouth, have whitish patches on the arms...these are all bad signs, just to start. But many will not show this at all.
extinct 1ne
Member
That's exactly what happened to my star. Although mine was a Green Brittle, unfortunately he's almost to the end of the road...By the way has the star stopped eating or become to tired to go over and get his own food? That was the downfall of my star anyways...
coral keeper
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3079876
I would wait, however, AT LEAST 6 months before adding one.
You should ask the specific gravity of their invert systems. If less than 1.024, I would not bother.
If they are limp, look caved in, have stuff hanging from their mouth, have whitish patches on the arms...these are all bad signs, just to start. But many will not show this at all.
Oh, ok. So, if its 1.024 and higher get one and if its lower than 1.024 don't get it?
http:///forum/post/3079876
I would wait, however, AT LEAST 6 months before adding one.
You should ask the specific gravity of their invert systems. If less than 1.024, I would not bother.
If they are limp, look caved in, have stuff hanging from their mouth, have whitish patches on the arms...these are all bad signs, just to start. But many will not show this at all.
Oh, ok. So, if its 1.024 and higher get one and if its lower than 1.024 don't get it?
coral keeper
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3080028
No, I said if it is lower than 1.024 don't consider it.
Otherwise you have to look at the animal. There are no guarantees on these guys at all, only hope that certain conditions provide the best chance.
Oh, ok. So, if its 1.024 and it looks healthy that's a green light?
http:///forum/post/3080028
No, I said if it is lower than 1.024 don't consider it.
Otherwise you have to look at the animal. There are no guarantees on these guys at all, only hope that certain conditions provide the best chance.
Oh, ok. So, if its 1.024 and it looks healthy that's a green light?