why do my salt water star fish keep dying?

Answer 1

You're not putting them in tap water are you?

Answer 2

star fish need to live in an environment where there is a constant flow of water, kinda imitating a reef.... you cant keep a starfish in captivity... u shouldn't need to add any chemicals in the tank either.. Ive had my salt water tank for 2 years and never added any chemicals or changed the water.. but I did start my tank with actual sea water from the ocean, this is the best way. All you really need is a good filter.. getting back to the star fish, screw the starfish already..but maybe the fish in your tank are harrassing it and its probably dying from the trauma.

Answer 3

I suggest doing a lot of research on them before even purchasing them. They are extremely sensitive to changes in salinity for one thing. If they aren't slowly acclimated to your tank the damage this causes to them may take days or weeks to show but it does damage them. Many die from lack of proper food sources like the popular blue linckia star which must eat slimes and algae to survive. Sometimes bacteria is a culprit. Other times the starfish is already doomed by the time you get it from damage taken during shipping such as heat, hypoxia, excessive pressure, rough handling, or cold.

Stick with fish, tough invertebrates, and corals for a year or so until you feel very confident with them before trying any of the starfishes. Also, avoid the green brittle stars if you have fish or shrimp - eventually it will ambush the fish or shrimp as they sleep and eat them once it gets big enough.

Answer 4

You prob do not know enough about caring for salt water fish. They can be very delicate. And it can be very hard to get a salt water tank correctly started.

PLEASE do some research before buying live animals people!

Answer 5

:(

Sorry to hear that.

Salt water aquariums are much more complex than fresh water. There are issues about salt water concentration, specific gravity of the water, changes when water evaporates, but more significantly, the different stages of development of the water conditions due to aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, It takes time to get a balance, and it takes attention and care to keep the balance right.

Answer 6

wow not near enough info. but do you buy them form the same place? are any of them living or are all dying? do you have the salt mix right for the fish you have? what fish tangs seem to be the best beginner fish. are you feeding them to much or to little? do you have a live rock set up or a bare tank? how long does it take them to die under 30 days and it may be stress. do you have the right mineral balance? many many things to consider. talk to your fish store sales person and they can help walk you through what may be wrong and whats right.

Answer 7

talk to the people who you get your star fish from and ask them about the problem, you probably have to have a certain solutions for your water. but i would ask the people why you are having such a problem......

don't feel bad, i have killed at least 3 cactus

Answer 8

you have to constantly keep an accurate saline measure of your water, pH, temperature...adding sick fish to a healthy tank, over feeding... cleaning too much... too much chlorine or chlorine... there are so many reasons... your question needs to have a little more clarity to correctly identify your tank problems.

Answer 9

Check the pH of your tank with a litmus strip. Its probably off and you need to add some base chemicals to it to neutralize the pH.

Answer 10

Your getting them use to the new water before taking them from the bag aren't you. The sudden temperature change can kill them.

Answer 11

do you have salt in your water... about a tablespoon per gallon

also doyou have a chemical like Aqua Clear that will nulify the chemicals in your water such as chlorine?