Starfish

I have this really nice starfish. I have been having this little guy for around 6 months I guess..... He has been real lethargic these past few days. Last night I put it on its back and with in about 5 minutes it righted its self. But hasn't really moved since? All other inverts are doing great.

 

Starfish shouldnt go in a tank of your size. With that said, what kind of starfish. Some times mine burries itself in the sand and stays there for hours if not days.

 

It's a red star. Not exactly sure of the exact genius. But I believe I found my problem..... I cleaned my sand bed very good this past water change and it has created a nitrate spike.

 

Is this your star fish?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497 528 578&pcatid=578


If so it's best to leave some areas/wall of the tank to grow film algae (no scraping or cleaning). As civic said though really the only star fish that belongs or can exist in an established nano is the Formia.

 

Yes that is it..... And I will leave a spot for it from now on.

 

Stop disturbing the sandbed cody. It is not necessary to clean it.

 

How do you keep it nice and white then? My sand starts looking dingy.

 

You can stir the very top layer while doing your wcs and/or you can get some nassarius snails to help.

 

I had some nassarius snails, they did okay but I may not have had enough?

 

Nasarius snails stay pretty small so a few extra won't hurt and they do an amazing job. I've seen fighting conchs do well but you need a large sand bed or a large area. Also, make sure where ever you buy your nasarius snails from doesn't accidentally give you whelks. I've seen that before.