White spot on starfish (2024)

Hey guys!

I’ve had this starfish for a couple months and at first she (or he) was under was under the sand a lot and come out every now and then.

Recently she stays on top of the sand and I noticed this white spot on top. It’s not sand because it doesn’t come off.

Also not sure what’s happening but she stands on her feet or whatever.

Anybody know what’s happening and what this spot is?!

Thank you!

I believe it is "tenting". It is a hunting/feeding behavior and means the little guy is hungry. The dot might be the madreporite. Like the valve in the basketball but for water.

How old is the tank?

jabberwock said:

I believe it is "tenting". It is a hunting/feeding behavior and means the little guy is hungry. The dot might be the madreporite. Like the valve in the basketball but for water.

How old is the tank?

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Hey thanks. Idk if you were able to see the video because I just tried now and I didn’t see it. I feed the fish daily. Do you think I should get some little shrimp and try and directly feed her

Thank is like 3 years old

Here’s the video

michelleb said:

Hey thanks. Idk if you were able to see the video because I just tried now and I didn’t see it. I feed the fish daily. Do you think I should get some little shrimp and try and directly feed her

Thank is like 3 years old

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I saw the video. It looks like a sand sifting starfish? Is that correct? I feel like interventions are usually not helpful. Focus on water quality and nutrient levels (feeding). If it is hungry and you give the tank food, it will find it. Maybe try some good quality pellets?

jabberwock said:

I saw the video. It looks like a sand sifting starfish? Is that correct? I feel like interventions are usually not helpful. Focus on water quality and nutrient levels (feeding). If it is hungry and you give the tank food, it will find it. Maybe try some good quality pellets?

Click to expand...

Yes it’s a sand sifting starfish. Yea this past Sunday I changed the water not going to lie it was over due so maybe that didn’t help but everything is good now so I hope the star gets better

I normally give the tank this food in the pic I just have a clown and two catfish with some hermit crabs. I haven’t been able to add any other fish because the clown is aggressive and picks at all the fish

Do you think pellets are better than frozen?

michelleb said:

Yes it’s a sand sifting starfish. Yea this past Sunday I changed the water not going to lie it was over due so maybe that didn’t help but everything is good now so I hope the star gets better

I normally give the tank this food in the pic I just have a clown and two catfish with some hermit crabs. I haven’t been able to add any other fish because the clown is aggressive and picks at all the fish

Do you think pellets are better than frozen?

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I think variety is the spice of life. In my 25 gallon, I feed Hikari frozen Mysis, Prime Reef, Ocean Nutrition Formula 1 and 2 pellets everyday. Small amounts of everything.

jabberwock said:

I think variety is the spice of life. In my 25 gallon, I feed Hikari frozen Mysis, Prime Reef, Ocean Nutrition Formula 1 and 2 pellets everyday. Small amounts of everything.

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Beautiful tank!

So I just did this to see if she would just eat by herself with no fish not sure if it helps or not so I’m putting the star back so I don’t leave star with out oxygen

Here are 2 of mine. They live under the rocks, I only ever see their arms foraging about.

jabberwock said:

Here are 2 of mine. They live under the rocks, I only ever see their arms foraging about.

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Oh man I’ve seen those before long arms! I see it has the white spot also so I guess I’m good there. Hopefully with this water change everybody will be more happy!

Thanks so much!