any recommendations

My tank is in the first week of cycle and last night I discovered a nice little brittle star hanging out on one of my small rocks. Is there anything that can be recommended to help this little guy survive through the cycle or is he pretty much a lost case once my tank starts spiking?

 

I would not be surprised if he makes it. Depending on the amount of die off, or anything you added to the tank that may influence how high the ammonia value may go probably will play the most important role.
If it was just cured LR he should be fine IMO. If you added shrimp to decay or straight ammonia that maybe a different matter.

 

if you have a smaller back up tank a ten gallon i would fill it up with ro water mix the salt and stick him in there till the tank finishes the cycle starfish are very sensitive to change and the ammonia/nitrates will kill it. i would set up a small tank with a inch or so sand bed and a LR that is already cured. make sure to offer food brine shrimp is a good food for it and once your main tank cycles i would put him back in make sure the salt content is equal in both tanks and the temp is the same so when you transfer him back you should have no issues.

 

+1

They are pretty hardy. They seem to have all survived the cycle in my tank. I didn't use shrimp or ammonia to cycle.

They don't get target fed and I don't have fish to feed so I have no idea what they eat.

 

Hmm ok. I don't have a back up tank, so that option is out. I am not using anything in the tank to boost the ammonia, only live rock. So I might be fine there if they are hardy little creatures. Otherwise, I guess the other option would be to bring it to a friends and put it in his matured tank.