mikefishguy Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi, I recently purchased a Feathered Star. I was wrong to buy it before doing research, but I did, and now I can only try and make it live. Heres a picture: http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421485311/6.jpg From what I understand, having it arrive alive was half the battle. It was a little mangled, but seems to be doing OK. It seems he was slowly starving at the Pet Store. So, what should I feed this guy? I have read that it is a filter feeder and mosly feeds on algae. It apparently eats Microplancton, brine shrimp, and invert food (whatever that is). Is Microplancton the same as Phytoplancton? Also, does anyone know where I can get some "invert food"?. So far, I have been target feeding him Brine Shrimp, and he seems to have recooperated to the piont that he can actually grip onto rock and not constantly get flipped over. My mom really likes this thing, and since she is my main source of money for the reef, I'd like to have it live. Thanks, Mike Link to comment
pyrrhus Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 dead link on the picture. as far as keeping it alive, rock solid tank parameters (think clams) frequent feedings of marine snow and zooplankton, see sprung-inverts pg 221 Link to comment
Tempest Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Feather stars are very delicate and usually do not do well in home aquariums. You need to feed the tank and probably target feed him. Purcahse DT's phytoplankton or Kent Phytoplex and add a few mils to tank water in an area of high flow. You might also want to use a turkey baster or small syringe to squirt a little directly towards the star. Carefully monitor the water quality - feather stars are very delicate. You could also use marine snow as previously suggested by pyrrhus. I believe he was referring to page 221 of Julian Sprung's "Marine Inverts" book which probably provides some details about the critter and its care. Link to comment
mikefishguy Posted April 13, 2004 Author Share Posted April 13, 2004 I have been target feeding him brine shrimp currently. I am going to get some phytoplancton, and possibly some marine snow. I will try to keep the tank as stable as possible (I guess just dumping in top-up water wont cut it any more). Thanks For Everyones Help, Mike Link to comment
Strawberry Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Dont forget that if you feed brine shrimp that you must supplement them with something, I use Selcon or Kent Zoe- or the brine shrimp have almost no nutrional value. Link to comment
mikefishguy Posted April 13, 2004 Author Share Posted April 13, 2004 I understand that, strawberry, but the shrimp are just to kep this thing alive. He hasn't eaten a thing for 3 weeks, and had no strength left after we bought him. I am working on geting some marinesnow now, and some Phytoplancton in a few weeks. Link to comment
Strawberry Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Read this Mike, lot's of good info... http://www.aquarium.net/1296/1296_9.shtml Link to comment
mikefishguy Posted April 13, 2004 Author Share Posted April 13, 2004 Wow, great link.. It seems that they are very picky, but hopefully he'll eat the marine snow im about to buy him.. Another Pic: Link to comment
Acoustic Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 If he dies you can always dry him out and dust your shelves. Link to comment
Domino_Tang Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 hrm.... a moving mop hrm hahaha! yea i have seeen people who have cared for theres for a long time with out a fuss these are beginners with a lil help from me. most reefs have to establish a goo eco or i would suggest failure right away Number 1 reason reefs fail! 1.Tap WATER! 2.Lack Of Water Flow 3.Water changes DONE WRONG!o__O dont ask how but anything is possiable. But on your case seems you were wrong in buying it but no biggy not giving that whole blah blah it should die you didnt read crap star fish should be checked every now an then for life star fish tends to get picked on! people who say other wise have never seen my hermits they love eating everything and anything that falls near them but any way you should have no problem ask the LPS if they dont help ask in the chat but dont say you didnt read up on it or fant WILL SCREAM FOR NO REASON! Link to comment
mikefishguy Posted April 16, 2004 Author Share Posted April 16, 2004 Everything you have described, I have done correctly, but the Star is still losing arms, even with the Marine Snow. Nobody is picking on hte star, mostly because it is currently upside-down underneath the rock.. i target feed him every night, and he opens, so he is definetly still alive. Link to comment
Tempest Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 If he's losing arms, chances are he's on his way out. Sorry. Link to comment
mikefishguy Posted April 16, 2004 Author Share Posted April 16, 2004 yep.. i already gathered that Link to comment
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