Starfish pimple?

ANDRU24 · 01-02-2009, 05:04 PM

I have a fromia starfish (sea star) that has been in the tank for a few days. A few hours ago I noticed what looked like a pimple, dead-center on the top. A few minutes later the pimple expelled a stringy milky white substance. Now (an hour later) the pimple is barely noticeable.

Is this a normal star fish thing? Or something I should be worrying about?

Tank Parameters:
29G BioCube
Ammonia: 0
PH: 8.2 - 8.4
Salinity: 1.023
Calcium: 520
KH: 232ppm
Nitrate: 20ppm
Phosphate: .5

Thanks in advance.

Peace
-AJ

SAW39 · 01-02-2009, 07:32 PM

I have two of them, but I've never seen anything like that. But, mine hide in the rocks with only an arm or two showing so it would be hard to see anything like you describe. I was going to guess that the sea star was reproducing. But after reading a little, I'm not so sure.

From Wikipedia: "The gonads are located in each arm, and release gametes through gonoducts located on the central body between the arms."

It might have been a pimple due to an infection, or it could have been something that is normal and inocuous. There is probably little you can do regardless of what the pimple was.

01-02-2009, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
ANDRU24 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 84 Skin: Mint Karma: 104	Starfish pimple? I have a fromia starfish (sea star) that has been in the tank for a few days. A few hours ago I noticed what looked like a pimple, dead-center on the top. A few minutes later the pimple expelled a stringy milky white substance. Now (an hour later) the pimple is barely noticeable. Is this a normal star fish thing? Or something I should be worrying about? Tank Parameters: 29G BioCube Ammonia: 0 PH: 8.2 - 8.4 Salinity: 1.023 Calcium: 520 KH: 232ppm Nitrate: 20ppm Phosphate: .5 Thanks in advance. Peace -AJ

01-02-2009, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
SAW39 Ritteri Anemone Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Age: 51 Posts: 604 Skin: Mint Karma: 1252	I have two of them, but I've never seen anything like that. But, mine hide in the rocks with only an arm or two showing so it would be hard to see anything like you describe. I was going to guess that the sea star was reproducing. But after reading a little, I'm not so sure. From Wikipedia: "The gonads are located in each arm, and release gametes through gonoducts located on the central body between the arms." It might have been a pimple due to an infection, or it could have been something that is normal and inocuous. There is probably little you can do regardless of what the pimple was. _________ -- SAW39 45 gal modified hex. Started and cycled August 2005. 2 Serpent Stars, Ocelaris Clown, Yellow Tang, damsel, 2 Pajama cardinals, Blue Fin pygmy angelfish, 1 huge bristleworm, Bubble-tipped anemone, Kenya Tree Coral, One live rock with lots of Xenia and tube worms.

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