Starfish falling apart

[mermaid05]

I have a Red Sea Star that I've had in my tank for several months. Just recently I noticed that the end of one of his legs has split and fallen off. Since then, all of this other legs have turned white at the tip and started slowly deteriorating. Any ideas??? Could something be eating it? Or is this caused by something with the water?

 

[Rob Martin]

Check your Nitrate level,they have an intolerance to Nitrate.

 

[mermaid05]

Not sure if it makes a difference but he is still moving around. He was on the gravel until yesterday morning when he climbed up the glass by the light. That's where he's been ever since.

I'll check the Nitrate level tonight to see if there's a problem.

 

[capncapo]

Most stars starve to death in our tanks. From your description, it sounds like that is what what is happening to yours..

Their natural diets are for the most part unknown.

 

[chocolateblnt]

I have a Red Sea Star and sometimes he gets bit or stung by something and I notice his tips become white and cracked but he is able to regenerate himself. I've since gotten a Red Tree Spong so I had to move him to my refugium because he wanted to eat the sponge even though most of the info I have gotten on them was a diet of Algae, Detritus, and Microorganisms. Do you have pics?

Here's mine ...

Here's the sponge he tried to eat