anyone know what this is on the linkia?

[reefguy210]

well, i had already put it in the spare tank. it started moving up the wall almost immediatly. i did a small water change in both tanks before i moved it. im crossing my fingers that it doesnt disentigrate

[Instar]

Linkia starfish have extremely allergic reactions to human pheromes (skin oils). If you or any of the people involved in collecting, bagging or shipping it touched it with bare hands, it is almost guarenteed to have a fatal or near fatal reaction. If it does disintegrate into pieces and those pieces don't completely disintegrate, the little frags will grow into new starfish.

On top of this, they can become infected from salinity shock, a very easy thing to accomplish with them. This can open up wounds in the ends of their legs for bacteria that can completely destroy them.

The bottom line for Linkia stars: Drip acclimate and temperature acclimate very carefully, slowly and never, ever touch one without clean gloves on. They are very allergic to humans.

[jroescher]

those pieces don't completely disintegrate, the little frags will grow into new starfish

So how would one go about fragging one and keep it from getting infected?

[reefguy210]

i drip-acclimated it when i got it. i pick it up with nets that have been laid out to dry for hours at an end. i dont put my hands in my tanks unless my pinchers are broke. as of today, its in my empty tank with a powerhead, filter and sand and it hasnt disentigrated anymore. the stuff that the picture shows has gone, and the linkia looks healthy despite whats happening.

[Instar]

So how would one go about fragging one and keep it from getting infected?

A sure method? I haven't tried it, but, in a tank that is balanced and well established, in theory at least, a leg cut off leg would grow back and the leg would grow a new animal. Some stars need a part of the central body attached to the leg to do this. If it is healthy to start with, then they should be able to fight off any infection and grow back. I cut a sand sifter star on purpose that was already messed up from salinity shock at the dealers and I tried to save it this way. Probably should have tried a dip of some kind because cutting didn't work. If you did it, you might need a dip for the cut end and for that I have no idea what dip might work and not kill the star.

Your linkia may have had membranes near breaching in reaction to all the moving and shipping. Shipping is very stressful, they get chilled in the air and the pressure changes radically. Sounds like it may recover by what you said.

[reefguy210]

well, more of that stuff started to come out, and when i barely brushed it with a net (was picking up a snail that kept falling, dont ask), it fell off the wall. so, i figure its almost at its end :(

im going to remove it and put it in a rubber maid tub with a powerhead, filter and a heater and see if it improves at all.