Sea Star wasting... Thoughts?

[SilverBand]

Sea Star wasting. Just wanted thoughts on this article:

 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/meet-tiny-killer-causing-millions-sea-stars-waste-away-180953348/

 

Densovirus - http://m.pnas.org/content/111/48/17278

 

My mom and pop LFS talked about a behavior of relaxed or "drunken" starfish exhibiting a similar "relaxed" state but they were still healthy. Is this bunk or is there an epidemic right now where they are bound to die from an existing bacterial epidemic hence a high mortality rate?

[seabass]

Some sea stars don't do well in nano-tanks. What type of sea star do you have? What size tank? How long has it been running?

[Bingo1213]

Some sea stars don't do well in a 500 gallon tank haha. Some are just better left in the ocean!

[SilverBand]

Never said I bought one! Anyone read the link(s)? From the article, sounds like a possible reason why sea stars arent doing well in any sized tank...

[seabass]

While a virus is a possibility, there are specific species which do well (like brittle stars) and ones that do poorly (like linkia stars). This general hardiness is more likely due to availability of preferred food than a specific virus.

[Bingo1213]

I have to agree I think they die out due to starvation rather than infection. There is some research saying that linkias and fromias eat things like bacterial film that we do not have enough of in our tanks. But that being said its still a mystery and it is possible that it could be an infection. But I must say I have had the same black brittle star for over 3 years now and he is massive and happy!