Blue Linckia that keeps dying

[alsacehendon]

Hi guys,

I used to keep blue linckias but they never did survive beyond a week. My other fish did well in there and all water parameters are normal.

[Full Hedge]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/inverts

When i set up my new tank I really wanted an orange starfish to call it patrick. I figured since I dont know much about starfish biology (apart from the lack of a brain. They have a complex bunch of nerves), their diet and simply looking at base rate success. Its just irresponsible to put one in. Not to mention an ammonia spike. Its okay if you remove it the instant you see it start to rot. But if it dies while you are say working. You gonna put your system at some serious risk. Not a prudent move.

 

So if you read the article you would notice that we dont really know much about the dietry requirements and I have no idea how to practically feed ‘surface film’(whatever the heck that is) on a regular basis. 

Also, please look at the base rate success. A simple google search will tell you its pretty damn low (not to mention those people are actively trying to find information and probably have some experience. So the sample is already positively biased). You not going to fare any better unless you have a real advantage. Say you understand the biology of the organism(expertise) and have the capability to take care of it(capacity). Ive kept reef aquariums for 8 years and that isnt going to help me beat the base rate...

A starfish dying within a week is probably not due to starvation ( Its a  guess). Maybe poor acclimatization practice or a swing in water parameter. Anyway fish are generally better at homeostasis than inverts.

Now dont feel too bad about yourself. I killed a starfish 8 years ago. The flesh literally tore off the body and it ‘melted’ infront of my eyes. So theres patricks blood on my hands too. But at least the death toll is gonna remain at 1.

Stay objective and prudent. 

Cheers mate

Edited December 2, 2017 by Full Hedge

[Komerider]

Acclimatization is half of it. How u choose one and ship it home is the other. The following r my tips: 1. Don't choose a star fish with its arms out at the surface. 2. 'stalk' your candidate. If u c it, don't buy. Come back 2-3 days ltr. If it's still good, buy. Or ask when they arrive , if they said 2-3 days back that's good also. 3. Get Ur own container tell the lfs u r Gona use it instead of their bag. Scoop the water that houses the star fish and scoop it into the container WITHOUT it touching air. Oxygen spikes kills starfish, that's the school I believe in. Never let it in contact with air. 4. Die die get a acclimatization kit . Fresh and Marine has them. Long tube with a bulb to drp acclimatization your star fish. 50% water change every 2 hours. 3 times for 6 hours. Be as kiasu as u can be. Then drag Ur star fish without touching air into your tank.

 

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[Komerider]

Try the above for blue linkia. Worked for mine after I lost 2 and decided to be super careful. Also succeeded first try on the above formula with a red tiled.

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