Something's killing my green star polyps. Bristle worms, brittle starfish?

[OceanLyons]

My nice big chunk of GSP has been slowly withering away. The rock that it is on is riddled with brittle stars and bristle worms. I really want to save this piece. It's in my 10g. and my false percs. used to host it. Now they're not even interested in it. It seems like polyps are just disappearing.

Any suggestions?

In my main tank, I consider GSP (a different kind than what's in the 10g) to be a nuisance. This other stuff I want to keep around.

 

[random_ryan]

whats all in the tank? could chemicals got in the tank?

 

[OceanLyons]

Two clowns, button polyps, palythoa, chaeto, bubble bee snail, astrea, and cerith

Everything else looks great. The water parameters are all good.

It seems like this has happened over the past two months.
The rock is just teeming with the worms and brittle stars.

Do those bristle worm traps work? Are their any fish that eat bristle worms who I could temporarily put in this tank?

 

[OceanLyons]

The one and only bump.

 

[azrednex]

I don't think it would be the worms or stars.

 

[jenn_jeffery]

Coral Banded Shrimp are rumored to eat bristles. Sixline wrasse usually eat them as well--a better bet than the CBB. Good luck!

 

[CCall]

It is possible that the bumble bee snail is eating them. I found one of my bumble bee snail eating my zoo's. Good luck!

 

[kirstenk]

Maybe the hosting caused it.

You could take the piece out and FW dip it. That would eliminate the creatures. See how it does after that but I kinda suspect the clowns.

 

[azhockeynut]

I'd vote for the dip myself. I'd bet you will find some stuff jumping off in a fresh water dip. If its small enought put some RO/DI water in a corningware (clear glass container) and dip the piece in there for a short duration, watch the bugs fall off, then you can see what was there. You might be able to get a pic of them and post them for ID as well. Just a thought

 

[Alto]

My guess is that the colony is dying and as such its very attractive to scavengers. They are not the source of the problem just a symptom showing you there is a problem. Thats just IMO

 

[Reefry]

BINGO... I read these forums all the time but never respond. But i had to let u know. You are the winner........ Exactly what i was thinking. So star polyp greiver worry not. Lighten up on feeding. Water changes. I do 20% every 2 weeks but do u. Were i live coral banded Shrimp are everywhere. An recently my friend had caught 1 an gave it to me. I really didnt want it. Got no worms. But i put him in my 15 prop tank. Theres a neon dottyback an a blue cycling damsel. An i only see him at night an he finds food. Eats when i feed. Prob eats dead Hermits an snails that die eventually.(everyone dies) An i beleive in a big clean up crew. I would definitely put a bristle worm trap in there because we have them here also so people that rob the ocean of live rock which is illegal always end up with hundreds of them. and they are gnarly looking and they f*** with your tank. Peace.... Knottyry

 

[Smokey Stover]

Holy, Necro-post reply. Welcome to RC :fish1: