Damaged Starfish

[viperrob]

I got a starfish to join the rest of my livestock in my 125. Well, either the hermit crab or the Huma Huma Trigger decided they liked the starfish more than I do. One arm is missing and it got a hole ate out of the center core.

I took it to my local aquarium store and they said that it is either dead or barely hanging on. I set back up my 46 gallon bowfront and it is now my hospital/quarantine tank.

Now about a week later, the starfish still has not moved, it is still rigid but now it looks like it cocooned itself. Is that part of the regeneration process or did it just make itself a coffin?

I searched all over the internet and can't find anything in depth on starfish regeneration.

 

[elfloyd]

With the center core gone I would say it is dead. I suspect you do not have a clean up crew (CUC) in the tank with the starfish. Otherwise the CUC would have eaten it. If no CUC the "cocoon" you see is part of the decomposition process.

Sorry...

 

[jennm]

It was likely the Huma trigger that did the damage. Most invertebrates are on its menu.

It sounds like it's decomposing and the "cocoon" is decomposing matter around it.

I wouldn't recommend trying any other small inverts with the trigger - he'll just eat them.

Jenn

 

[viperrob]

Yea, I figured that out. I just wish the store for which I bought it would have told me. Thanks for the responses back. It is now in fish heaven. LOL

Awesome part - today, lost 1 fish, bought 2 more. Wife is kinda not happy. LOL