Need help with a Knobby Starfish

[animalparamedic]

I just bought a Knobby Starfish (Echinaster echinophorus) at the LFS , and the guy there told me that they were very hard to care for and they usually die from malnutrition... What do i feed this thing, I thought they ate algae and junk from the substrate and LR ?

 

[roka64]

I believe they will eat algae, inverts (possibly clams and maybe snails and possibly others) and as they get older, some corals and possibly sponges. I would wait for more experienced folks to chime in.

 

[melosu58]

and the guy there told me that they were very hard to care for and they usually die from malnutrition... What do i feed this thing, I thought they ate algae and junk from the substrate and LR ?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=562

Does your`s look like this? Just the LFS telling me that would have been enough for me to say no thanks. Make sure you dont expose to air when you put him in the tank.

 

[animalparamedic]

Mine looks exactly like this...

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

but the LFS said he thought it was a Red Jewel Sea Star - thats why he said they are hard to care for...

 

[melosu58]

Oh Ok. Hope all goes well

 

[Devilishturtles]

I think your LFS was correct in the malnutrition. I believe that their diet is more phytoplankton based. As in..copepods and worms, also algae. I didn't think that this particular starfish ate coral, but again, could be wrong. Never really see it in tanks or sold much, probably because of the difficulty to keep. If you can, I'd consider returning it. If you can't...I'd atleast supplement with something like DT's phytoplankton, oyster eggs, or copepods.

HTH

 

[melosu58]

The link said it was not reef safe .

 

[animalparamedic]

I'd atleast supplement with something like DT's phytoplankton, oyster eggs, or copepods.
HTH

What is DT's phytoplankton... Is this different than Formula 2 with plankton and algae?

 

[melosu58]

http://www.dtplankton.com/

I like the oyster eggs also.

 

[animalparamedic]

I thought i'd tell everyone - im doing something right... its still alive, and doing quite well

 

[melosu58]

That sounds like good news to me.