Star fish

[mikeclarke]

Originally Posted by craigwmiller

I have both a Burgundy Linckia and a Red Fromia star fish in my system -- both reef safe... They each came from my previous 12 and 14 gallon tanks, where they were also thriving. These both are about 3" tip to tip, and grow very slowly, and move very slowly while you watch them (turn your head for what seems like a minute and they are across the tank, HA!)

getting a healthy one is key, and acclimating them properly - uber slow drip, say 2 hours (measure at least the temp and salinity of your water compared to the source water - and drip (sometimes removing water) until the parameters match). Quick parameter changes are their enemy (salinity, ph, temperature) - if they get too big a shock too quick they are unlikely to recover. And also air is supposedly bad for them (like don't net them up and move them - but always keep them submerged while migrating them).... I can't back this up, but I've always kept them 'wet' while moving them around just in case and I've had great success (2 stars, 2 moves each, very healthy).

How do you make sure you don't get fish store water into your tank? I've always thought that allowing fish tank water into your tank is a way for parasites etc to enter your tank. I tried a linkia and did an 1.5 hour acclimate but it died. It hid under a huge peice of live rock and then I got concerned and brought it out into the open. It then melted a few days later.

If I got a star again how would I do the best acclimate? I floated the bag for half an hour in my display with the lights off and then put a quarter cup of display water into the bag. When it got full, I took water out. I know people have done the airline hose drip acclimate but I haven't tried it.

I recently lost an awesome bright yellow sail fin tang after a week in my 20 gal quarantine tank. The copper band and the kole tang are fine. The sail fin looked healthy. I did notice a few tiny white spots on the tail of the copper band. I dosed with herbtana and artemiss for three days each and it seems fine. Is there a problem with my acclimation process for fish as well?