Legs breaking off of serpent star

[Bill14]

Two days ago, I bought a black and white serpent star to boost my cleanup crew a bit (and they are really cool). Tonight at dusk (two bulbs still on), he came out and started wandering the sandbed and when he was in the corner I noticed two chunks of his legs had broken off and were laying in the sandbed. I noticed at least two other legs with slices in them. What's going on? I did use my gravel vac on the sandbed last night. I don't think I sliced him with it. Any other reason this could happen?

 

[Elysia]

How did you acclimate?

Although you can see such "wounds" due to physical trauma, serpents will respond this way for other reasons, as well. It is almost as if, instead of dying out right, they begin to decay in front of your eyes. I'm not saying that there is no way that your star is going to live, but it does sound like it is very stressed. Make sure everything is good with the water, that the star has a good place to hide, and that things remain stable. I hope for the best.

 

[Bill14]

I acclimated the same way I do most things. Temp acclimate for 15 minutes, then dump most of the water out of the bag and add water every 15 minutes. When the water level doubles, I empty nearly all and do it again. Usually takes an hour to an hour and a half.

All my parameters in the tank are good and all other inhabitants seem fine.

 

[Flightpipe]

Stars are very sensitive to varying water parameters, and need to be drip acclimated for an extended period of time at a minimum of an hour and a half with any star I drip acclimate at least two hours +. If they are not acclimated properly the literally fall apart like yours is.

 

[jlemoine2]

Yup, I think a drip acclimation could have worked better. I hear stars are also sensitive when exposed to air, I'm not sure if that happened in transferring it from the bag to tank.

 

[Bill14]

Well crap. I knew sea stars were super sensitive and shouldn't be exposed to air, but I thought brittle and serpent stars were different in that regard.

Anything else I can do at this point? Any chance it will recover?

 

[Elysia]

I don't know, at this point. I have owned a few serpent and brittle stars. My serpent lost a leg once but recovered nicely -- his leg loss may have been due to mechanical injury, however. So, I can't say that leg loss will automatically result in eventual death, but the more parts of the star's body that is effected, the higher probability it is that the star won't surrive. At this point, if your water quality is good and the star has a place to hide, the most that I know that you can do is to keep the water params stable.

 

[Flightpipe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15685244#post15685244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elysia
At this point, if your water quality is good and the star has a place to hide, the most that I know that you can do is to keep the water params stable.

+1 good luck

 

[sahin]

How is your water quality? I had a serpent star slowly lose almost three legs and part of the central disk after the water quality dropped. This happened because I had upgraded my tank from a 24G to a 90G and there was a slight cycle even though everything was from my old tank and also due to going on holiday and leaving a non reef keeper to look after the tank.

My starfish recovered, but in order to help it along, I made sure my water quality improved, by doing water changes, making sure the skimmer was performing well etc etc.

However, as well as the above, I also began to target feed my starfish with differant types of meaty foods as well as soaking the food in liquid vitamin. I dont remember exactly, but I recall reading up somewhere and used a multivitamin. Not sure which aspect of the above helped, but my serpent made a full recovery within 6 weeks or so and I was amazed that it could lose nearly three legs and part of the disk and grow all that back.

So, if you are determined then you can save your serpent.

 

[Bill14]

Thanks for all the feedback. My only water quality problem I've had recently is a minor phosphate issue. Phosphates are down to .03 ppm and have been since I introduced the starfish. All my other parameters are good.

I'll try target feeding him some mini mysis and spirulina brine tonight after lights out. Since I caused the problem, I'll do what I can to help save him.

He was out and about last night after lights out, so he's still kicking.

 

[sahin]

Yeah, just keep things stable and keep right on top of the water quality. You should be able to save him and he wll hopefully recover soon. Good luck.

 

[MaineReef88]

This happened with my first serpent star, He lasted about 2 days once it started, However his decay started before i got him unfortunaltly, Good Luck!