Problem with Chocolate Chip Starfish

J_Vee

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Jan 12, 2005
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My Starfish has started curling it's legs up, it looks like a flower closing. I have checked all of my water parameters including Copper and Salinity.
(pH 8.26, Temp 75.7, Alkalinity 175 ppm, Ca 350 ppm, Specific Gravity 1.022, nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Ammonia 0, Copper 0 H20 hardness 350 ppm). Has anyone else had this problem. Any ideas what may be causing the behavior ? Thanks

Joe
 
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what are the water parameters? Can be normal starfish behavior, but might as well post those numbers along with the specs of the tank.
 
I have had the Starfish in the tank for 4 months, this is the first time I noticed the behavior.

Joe
 
Normally curling up indicates death shortly.I wonder if its possible something got into the water.Honestly sometimes these things happen in saltwater and there isnt a true reason.
 
I'm not sure what Target feeding is.

This morning the starfish seems to be doing better. He used to climb on the glass for the last 2-3 weeks he moves very little and stays on the bottom, Thanks for the help


Joe
 
Meaning--are you making sure the starfish is getting food? Or just relying on it scavenging enough food?
 
Just food from the bottom. This may sound ignorant, if I put food on the bottom and set the Starfish on top of it will that work ? Thanks

Joe
 
Just place it near one leg. Chocolate stars need meaty foods, so scavenging is seldom enough to keep them alive. Sinking wafers or shrimp pellets are a good option. They can be trained to come to the surface and peel back, begging for food.
 
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