Chocolate Chip Star finally got the Zoa Munchies

[EricR]

I know,,, I know,,, chocolate chip stars are NOT reef safe but…

I’ve had the CC star for about 2 years — my first (non-jellyfish) invert.
Started with zoanthids 6 months ago.
Never had a problem,,, until this week.

Pics below but first…

Case 1 (just a few days ago):
*zoas are all super glued to rock structure due to urchin but one I already knew needed to be re-done.
-- Came home from vacation to find that one zoa face down in the sand, undoubtedly due to urchin.
-- Didn’t feel like dealing with it so swished it off and just turned it upright back on the sand bed.
-- Next morning, found the CC star on top of it.
-- Pretty much completely devoured it.

Case 2 (today):
*was already considering offering the star to my LFS since I have no sump and know nobody else with a saltwater tank.
-- Left for about 6 hours and came back to the starfish sitting directly on top of another zoa.
-- Not looking great but hoping this one will recover.
-- Setup a 6 gallon “timeout” tank and moved the star into it for now,,, duh.
-- Likely going to LFS next week, if they’ll take him,,, but I do hate to think of him ending up as harlequin shrimp food.


Exhibit “A” before and after (right now):

*thinking about trying an iodine dip just for fun and setting it back on the frag rack but seems like a long shot



Exhibit “B” before and after (right now):

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sounds like you were prepared and you need to sump or sell it

 

[EricR]

Quick status (in case anyone finds this):
-- Donated the chocolate chip star to my LFS yesterday
-- Exhibit "A" is pretty much toast but leaving it in the tank. (Looks like just some very tiny, thin, lifeless strands of zoa left)
-- Exhibit "B" popped back open and looks no worse for wear