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FAQs about Chocolate Chip Sea Stars 2
Related Articles:
Chocolate Chip Stars, Asterina Stars,
An Introduction to the Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea
Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and More... By
James W. Fatheree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs: Chocolate Chip Stars 1,
CC Star Identification, CC Star
Behavior, CC Star Compatibility,
CC Star Selection, CC Star Systems,
CC Star Feeding, CC Star
Disease/Health, CC Star
Reproduction, Sea Stars 1,
Sea Stars 2, Sea Stars 3,
Sea Stars 4, Sea Stars 5,
Seastar Selection, Seastar
Compatibility, Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior, Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction,
Seastar Disease, Asterina
Stars, Crown of Thorns Stars,
Fromia Stars, Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2, Sand-Sifting Stars,
Bad water quality? No stars. | 
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melting chocolate star... no
data, reading 6/26/09
Your website was the only site with any helpful information about what
was happening to our star. we did everything that your site said
pristine hospital tank, antibacterial added. i have only one question
has any
chocolate chip star recovered?
<? Rarely>
three of his legs are nearly completely melted the other two on their
way.
this morning it was only one leg. it was so fast. he still raises his
legs, should we try to feed him? usually when he raises his legs he
wants to eat.
thanks Pam c
<A poor species for aquarium use... and you proffer no useful data. Bob
Fenner>
Six-legged Chocolate Chip
Starfish - 05/14/09
Hi!
<Hello Savanna.>
I have a few questions concerning my 6-legged chocolate chip starfish.
First of all, is it common for them to have 6 legs?
<No, very uncommon for this species.>
I happened to find mine while I was walking through a pet store, and he
caught my attention because of his extra leg and very distinct chocolate
chips. I have him housed in a 29-gallon tank that also has 2 false
Perculas, one red honey damsel, a mandarin goby, a couple very small
hermit crabs, and a few turbo snails. I've been giving him one frozen
krill 2 times a week, along with a mixture of flying roe fish eggs,
marine cuisine, and formula 2. Is this a good enough variety or should I
be adding something more to his diet?
<Should be sufficient. For its natural diet please see
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chocchipstars.htm .>
One last thing is I am considering getting either an electric flame
scallop or a clam and am wondering if my ccs is going to be a threat to
them.
<Yes, as well as a possible threat to corals and other slow or sessile
invertebrates.>
If you could please get back to me on these questions, that'd be great!
:)
Thank you, Savanna
<Welcome. Marco.>
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Star fish... CC, reading, gen. 4/9/09
Hi.
<Saludo>
I have a starfish that I have not been able to identify. He is shaped
exactly like the cc star but is a beautiful red/ orange color.
<Mmm, could still be a Protoreastor nodosus... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/seastars2.htm>
If you can help me identify the guy I'd truly appreciate it.
<A photo? Need this... >
Also, I have been reading through your site looking for more information
about the white patches that
have appeared on it's body. He/ she has been falling off the glass
lately and been unable to get back upright.
<... very bad>
It is eating frozen krill (which is all I've been able to locate in our
area to feed him/ her)
<Insufficient>
and is very active once I put it back in the upright position. The tank
which houses him is 80 gallons or so and all the levels are good.
<?>
I typically give ¼ water change every other week and also supplement
trace elements weekly. I feel that I am an experienced aquarist and have
had little to no problems maintaining aquariums for 18 years however
this guy has me stumped. Please help us.
Thanks
D
<Help yourself. Read: http://wetwebmedia.com/chocchipstars.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: star fish, ID plus, P. lincki
4/10/09
Here's a pic of the star fish in question.
Water conditions in 80 gallon tank
Salinity 1.025
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ammonia 0
PH 8.2
Temp 76
Feeding him 3 times a week the krill and sea veggies.
Thanks again for all your help
<Oh! Another of the same genus... Is where you were referred previously to
read. Go there. BobF>
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Chocolate Chip Starfish... gen. bio. questions... no reading
4/7/09
Hi,
<Hello>
I am doing a biology presentation for my university's General Biology
Lab.
There are a few questions that I could not find on the Internet, so I
was wondering if you all could help me. I was wondering if the Chocolate
Chip Star had an obvious history, what exactly defines echinoderms
<See any good biology book or even Wikipedia for echinoderms or
Echinodermata and their symmetry and organs.>
, what exactly defines a starfish,
<See above.>
why do the stars climb to the top of the aquarium and bend over the edge
but yet they don't climb out of the tank,
<Most likely eating biofilms at the water surface.>
where can you find these stars in the wild (ex. range map?),
<See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chocchipstars.htm .>
and what animals are they prey to?
<See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chocchipstars.htm too.>
I know that is quite a few questions but those are the main ones I have
yet to find research on. If you could help me out at all, I would be
forever grateful. I like to get my answers from accredited people (or I
could be shallow and make them up, but I am not so I am asking). Thank
you, Halee
<What you ask is mostly already answered on WWM, I hope you find the
references above useful. For more details see the literature at the end
of our Protoreaster nodosus article. Cheers, Marco.>
Re: Sick Maroon Clown... Now CCstar hlth. 4/17/08
Would you suggest putting the star back in the tank where he came from?
I had him in a 8g bio cube and he did great. How do I help him? I read
that page you sent to me and there is nothing about a brown balloon
looking pin head on the outside of his body. Spencer <Keep
reading... re CCstar Systems... B>
CCS question... hlth., no useful data 3/15/08 Dear crew,
I have taken time to look through all your FAQ's and previous
questions, but I still need help. I have a 65 gallon tank with 2
Perculas, 1 pajama, and my CCS. I have had the tank for over 3
years. I have had all the fish over 2. The CCS is about a year and a
half old. I typically feed him 2 times a week, frozen krill.
<... needs more than this> He usually eats well and is active. I
was just in the hospital for a week and he wasn't fed.(the person
feeding said they looked everywhere and couldn't find him). When I
arrived home, it took me 2 hours and rearranging the tank to find
him. For the last 3 days I have been trying our usual feeding
routine to no avail. He has never hidden in the tank like this.
Tonight I tried everything I could find on feeding tips on your
site. All water levels are exactly the same as normal. No nitrates,
nitrites, ammonia, ph is normal, etc. He is thin, pale, and has all
four legs slightly curled up. When brought out and placed on the
glass, or near food, he quickly runs and hides. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Shannon <Sure... read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/starfdgfaqs.htm And the linked files
above. Bob Fenner>
Re: ccs question... hlth. 4/8/08 Thanks for your help. "Chip"
didn't eat for about a week, then one day he seemed to wake up and
started looking for food. He seems pretty much back to normal? Who
knows, maybe he was having a bout of ccs depression ;) thanks for
your suggestions. Shannon <Mmm, not unusual for Seastars to go
on periodic food strikes... I do hope yours rallies. Thank you for
the update, BobF> |
Chocolate chip sea
star... reading 10/6/06 Hi, <Salud> I
have a Chocolate chip sea star and he seems to be getting lethargic
and skinnier. He also has a tear between two of the legs. <Bad
indications> its pretty big and I thought he was dead but when I
moved him he was moving his legs. I am not sure what to do with
it. None of the other fish <?> seem to be bothering it. Can
the tare heal itself? What do you think? Let me know. Thanks.
Sandra <Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ccstardisfaqs.htm and the linked
files above. BobF> Chocolate chip starfish help Fish Stocking
4/21/06 Hi, My chocolate chip starfish has been in my 29
gallon tank for a couple of months now. It is fed properly and
everything... I feed him tuna chunks. <... just like in the wild...>
I noticed this morning when I fed him that he is peeling off his
underbelly. It is white underneath and i am worried. Is he sick or is
this normal. He crawls around the tank as normal but I don't know what
to do. I have a 12 gal. tank with nothing in it but cycled water. Should
i put the starfish in there....and if so what should i treat him with?
Thanks a bunch!! Clarissa <... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ccstardisfaqs.htm and the linked
files above. Bob Fenner> Chocolate chip sea star
2/26/06 Dear Mr. Fenner, <James with you today Linda.> I have
had my chocolate chip starfish since April '05. He is currently in a 16
gal aquarium with a Rusty Dwarf Angel, a tomato clown, and one turbo
snail. <Much too small a tank for these fish.> At first, the starfish
was very active - moved all over the tank - sides, rocks, filter,
plants, anything at all. When I dropped in food, it moved quickly
toward it. For about 2-3 months, I have noticed a drastic decrease in
his activity, and lately, he hardly moves at all - what I would call
"failure to thrive." His appearance used to be okay, but this week he
looks smaller, and his arms are curled up at the tips. He "appears" to
eat - shrimp pellets and pieces of cooked shrimp that I place right next
to him. The water quality seems OK - pH, alkalinity, nitrites, and
nitrates are in range, although I do keep the sg a little low - about
1.019 - 1.020. I would greatly appreciate any help you could offer to
save my sea star. <Well, since you have had him since April 05 it
appears he was shipped and acclimated well. I'd get the SG up to
1.024-25 for starters and ensure food is available on a daily
basis. The size of your tank doesn't help much since starfish are very
sensitive to water parameter changes which will occur in a 16 gallon
tank, especially one that is overstocked with fish. Read here for more
info on starfish. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
Thank you, <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Linda Kozlowsky
<Ahh, the co-star in the Crocodile Dundee flicks.>
Chocolate chip star fish in my reef tank... comp. 2/3/06
Hello, I was looking through some postings on you site
about the Protoreastor nodosus sea star, and noticed that no one
thinks the can be reef safe. I have my CCS in my reef tank for 2
years now with a leather coral, torch, hammer, xenia, many
corallimorphs, snails hermit crabs and a burgundy star with no
problems. My secret is to keep it well fed. <Ah, yes> My CCS
is about 4 inches across now. I feed some white fish flesh such as
frozen smelts or Julian Sprung's sea weed at least 3 times a week.
So far it has not bothered any of my corals or other inverts in my
125 gallon reef tank. I know to watch it more carefully as it gets
larger but for now I will enjoy it and its behaviors. Attached are
some pics for others to view. Let me know what you thinks of the
photos...thanks <Thank you for this data point/input, and very
nice pix. Bob Fenner> |  
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I just started a S/W/ tank (about two weeks ago), today I bought a CCS,
- 01/12/2006 <Chocolate Ship Star? Not easily kept...> I
read a lot of the Q & A that were posted about CCS. Now I wish I would
not have bought him, <What would your granny say? "Look before you
leap?"> sounds hard to keep them healthy. The pet store where I buy
all my stuff has been very helpful, but they did not tell me that I have
to feed him anything special. Do I? <... posted> I
have a 46 gallon tank with two clownfish, 3 damsels, a tang and a sea
urchin. Is just the algae enough for him!! I feed the tank flakes and
shrimp brine? <How would I/we know what you feed?> Thanks,
Melissa <Will likely perish... go, read "small sweet one"... on WWM.
Bob Fenner> Chocolate Chip Starfish 12/12/05 Hello,
<Hello Penny> I was wondering, I have a chocolate chip star fish for
about 6 months now, he has always moved about, but now for the past 4
days he has not been moving but maybe an inch. I picked it up and the
bottom was all closed and I started to rub him a little and it started
to open up and the little feet started to come out, so I put it back on
the coral and its still not moving.. what could be wrong and what can I
do? Please help..<Penny, have you placed some food under him such as a
small piece of prepared food (frozen variety)? I'm thinking this guy
could be starving. Am posting a link on the chocolate chip starfish for
your reading. http://www.google.com/custom?q=Chocolate+chip+starfish&sa=Google+Search&sitesearch=wetwebmedia.com James
(Salty Dog)> Penny
Chocolate Chip Star Fish 9/26/05
I have three questions 1st question is: Can small hermit crabs be a
threat to Chocolate Chip Star Fish or can the hermit crabs be kept with
them? <Yes> Second: What is the minimum size tank suggested for
keeping one Chocolate Chip Star Fish in? <I'd recommend a minimum of 10
gallons, reason being that starfish are very sensitive to changes in
water parameters which can occur easily in smaller tanks.> and my 3rd
question is : Can Brittle Stars be kept with the Chocolate Chips
ones? <Yes> If you can get back with me on these questions I appreciate
it a lot...just having a lil difficulty and need few answers on what
I asked Email back A.S.A.P and thanks a million !!! <You're
welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Chocolate chip star problem...
are problems 8/14/05 We have had our tank up and running
for about 3 months. All of our fish are thriving beautifully as well as
our sponge and 2 anemones. Our chocolate star however has been
developing white spots in the last week and a half or so and today I
noticed a "film-like" substance on his underside, covering his mouth and
a lot of his feet. It has veiny looking lines in it an looks like it
might spread. I was wondering if you could help me out, if you had ever
seen anything like this and if you could give advice. He is my favorite
of our stars and I would hate to lose him. Also, if you don't think
there's much I can do, how should I "put him out of his misery" so to
speak? Thanks for your time. -Courtney <... up to you. Please
read here re this species, use in our interest:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chocchipfaqs.htm Bob Fenner>
Chocolate chip starfish We have 3 CC starfish in our tank (sorry
I don't know the size my husband's the one who set it up and maintains
it). One of the starfish recently started looking shriveled on two
of its legs , eventually he looked so sick we removed him from the tank.
Any ideas what caused this and should we be concerned about the other
two? We have had all 3 for about a year and no new fish or other
creature have been added to the tank recently. Thanks , Kim
<<Kim, a common problem in tanks where 10% weekly (or equivalent) water
changes aren't being made to replenish the trace elements most animals
require. I'd also add an iodine supplement weekly. Starfish are
sensitive to changes in pH, oxygen, and specific gravity. This tends to
cause rapid bacterial infections that cause necrosis of the legs or
whole body. I'm thinking this is what you are seeing. It's a good idea
to place small bits of crab/clam meat under the star weekly to make sure
it is getting enough food. James (Salty Dog)>
Dying CC
starfish I have had a cc star for about a month. I have a 12
gal. <Too small for this species...> Eclipse system that has
been up for a year. I have 2 yellow-tail blue damsels, 1 hermit and
a Strawberry Pseudochromis. One of the chips has fallen off of the cc
star. I placed him in a wire dome in the center of my tank to keep him
from biting. <What?> Is he going to die anyways? <Maybe...
please read on WWM re CCS... they rarely "make it" in captivity> In
your opinion, should I avoid adding another starfish (of any kind) in
this small environment? If I did can it eat regular fish food? <...
please read re asteroids period... on WWM. Bob Fenner> Sorry for my
ignorance- Mel Star dying and clownfish purchase Hey crew,
I must first off say that your website is a godsend and I use it all the
time. Two quick questions. One my CCS has not been doing good and
some of his skin had been opening. I know that Starfish diseases are
almost always irreversible but to make matters worse this morning when I
turned on my lights I saw that my poor CCS had two legs stuck in my
powerhead water intake and he is in bad shape. Infection is imminent
I believe from the looks of him and I was wondering what could I do with
him. <If possible, isolate this specimen...> I don’t want the
possibility of unneeded infection in my tank. Are there any ways of
peacefully "putting him down"? <Place in a plastic bag with a small
amount of water, put in freezer...> Also, question number two. I
was interested in purchasing a clownfish for my LFS but there are two
small regular clowns, I cannot remember whether they are ocellaris or
percula. They are tiny, probably not more than and inch in
length. Would they be too small for my 29 gallon tank (30"long x12"wide
x18"deep)? I currently am housing a 2 inch Banggai and a 3-4inch
engineer goby, which is doing good and I noticed that its coloring is
changing from the horizontal stripes to the vertical bands
% Coloration I believe). I also have a Mithrax crab, 2 turbo snails,
and 4 hermit crabs. I feed my fish the San Francisco Bay Brand
Saltwater multipack, which I soak in Selcon nightly before feeding. Any
thoughts or suggestions on these two topics would be greatly
appreciated. Cheers, Aaron Loboda <The clowns are not too
small... I would keep an eye on the Mithraculus and Hermits... Bob
Fenner>
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