sea star in overflow

[rtecanoe]

I have a 1'+ brittle sea star that was missing and I found him in my overflow and want to get him out. About 6 yrs old. Bad enough hes in the overlow, but he/she is actually in the very thin front part of it, and must be happy there because he wont come out. Looks like it would be too thin for him, but he moves his legs freely, skimming the top of the overflow, through the thin fins at the bottom by the sand etc. Any suggestions? I've tried coaxing him out with a shrimp, tried gently pushing him out with a long thin piece of plastic but he just moves to the very bottom of it. I dont want to kill it trying to get it out, but I'm afraid if i leave him he will eventually move to the main part of the overflow and could clog up the drain pipe and with only the drain on the other side working - big time flood over the top of the tank.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[pecan2phat]

Pair of long tweezers?

 

[jpitch]

I have long tweezers that are angled. they're inexpensive and they can get into areas that are very tricky to get to. Don't be afraid to give up a leg if need be. Safety above all else.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

A pain for sure but if you can shut down & the SLOWLY remove the pipe until water drains then you can reach in with a gloved hand & remove him. If you worry about the opening you could cap it with a very short piece.

 

[Long Island Andy]

Hi if it is a brittle star it would definitely break apart if you used a tweezer. It sounds like it is in the area where you can adjust the water going into the tank. I would leave him alone he can get in and out of small areas pretty good. If he moves into the main part of the overflow I agree with Vinny, pull the overflow pipe and he will end up in a sock or in your sump

 

[fishome25]

as andy said, they are called brittle for a reason.

 

[ohana888]

you can entice it with a piece of fish or shrimp at the end of tweezers or a long bamboo skewer - that's how i removed mine from underneath LR. it will wrap itself around the food and quickly lift out. good luck!