Any SEA STARgazers out there?

[Glenner’sreef]

I’m well aware that Jason Fox has a “Stargazer Zoa”……… but I’m referring to one of the undisputed icons of our oceans reefs.
We had almost 40 family members over yesterday for a pool party and needless to say it was just as crowded around my aquarium as it was around the pool. And this star was THE STAR!!!

1. Curious to see how popular these are?

 

[Timfish]

I love them and had one for over a decade but thier average survival rate is so poor I've stopped getting them.

See @livinlifeinBKK thread here

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I love them and had one for over a decade but thier average survival rate is so poor I've stopped getting them.

See @livinlifeinBKK thread here

Thanks for the tag @Timfish ...I'm always happy to offer advice regarding these fascinating creatures! The 3 stars i used in my study are still looking good which is something I'm very happy to say!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

@Glenner’sreef feel free to DM me or ask anything here. I love discussing stars, whatever the question may be!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

@Glenner’sreef feel free to DM me or ask anything here. I love discussing stars, whatever the question may be!

So about 3 months ago, I purchased this Star fish. It was labeled Blue Linckia Sea Star. This photo actually shows the dark markings on it. I’ve never seen that on this particular species. Are these markings common? Thx.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

So about 3 months ago, I purchased this Star fish. It was labeled Blue Linckia Sea Star. This photo actually shows the dark markings on it. I’ve never seen that on this particular species. Are these markings common? Thx. View attachment 3164811

It's hard to tell in the picture if the marking are just coloration of the epidermis are they sunk in??

 

[Rmckoy]

@AydenLincoln which star is it you have ?

 

[AydenLincoln]

@AydenLincoln which star is it you have ?

A biscuit starfish/goniaster tessellatus! I’ve had him for almost a year and he’s still going strong!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

@Glenner’sreef i believe it's not uncommon for the younger ones to have dark blotches on them...it's definitely been documented

 

[Glenner’sreef]

It's hard to tell in the picture if the marking are just coloration of the epidermis are they sunk in??

The markings are not sunk in. It’s exactly what it looks like when I got it.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

My other star was labeled a Red Tile Sea Star. 6 months old now.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

The markings are not sunk in. It’s exactly what it looks like when I got it.

I misunderstood that you bought it that way at first. I thought you were trying to diagnose I'll health. What are you feeding it btw?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

My other star was labeled a Red Tile Sea Star. 6 months old now. View attachment 3165368

That's cool but 6 months is actually a relatively short time to be considering it healthy unless you're somehow tracking health quantitatively. 6-8 months is pretty standard before they starve to death.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

I misunderstood that you bought it that way at first. I thought you were trying to diagnose I'll health. What are you feeding it btw?

I’m not feeding either of them anything. Hoping that film algae and detritus is sufficient. So far so good. Are there Star fish supplements?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I’m not feeding either of them anything. Hoping that film algae and detritus is sufficient. So far so good. Are there Star fish supplements?

How big is the tank?

 

[Glenner’sreef]

How big is the tank?

180 gallons and a 40 gallon sump.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

180 gallons and a 40 gallon sump.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

180 gallons and a 40 gallon sump.

Ok, 180 gallons is bog enough they'll probably find at least a little bit to eat but yes, if you want them to live long term and thrive you need to feed both. Try meaty seafoods.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Ok, 180 gallons is bog enough they'll probably find at least a little bit to eat but yes, if you want them to live long term and thrive you need to feed both. Try meaty seafoods.

Do I manually pick them up and place them on the food? I’m sure the other tank inhabitants fish, crabs, and shrimp would try to eat it.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Do I manually pick them up and place them on the food? I’m sure the other tank inhabitants fish, crabs, and shrimp would try to eat it.

A really healthy star can actually get to the food and position himself to protect it from being stolen pretty quick believe it or not. You just place it beside them in that case. However, if you haven't fed one anything for 3 months and the other for 6 months they'll probably be too slow so start out by placing them in an isolation box to eat and when they are finished and let go of the food just take them back out.