What in the world??

Oh Jackie.. that is sick. I hope they can help you decide what it is.. that is terrible!
 Pam

I surprised you saw that.. I never see my brittle or serpent starfish in my tank....

that is a cool brittle starfis looks like something is eating it

Edited by SGH360 - November 18 2010 at 4:00pm

It is in a bowl right now as I didn't know if it had something, I see both my large guys when I feed my tank:)
I will look into splitting maybe it could be it is all the way through it.

davser wrote: i dont know about spliting it looks like something is eating it

It could make the situation worse. I don't know if it would be the sole cause. I would lean more toward something trying to eat it or an infection due to injury.

Thats crazy looking, keep us updated

- The Star is new to the tank so we don't know what kind of stress and poor handling occurred in transit or what appearance/evidence of problems it may have had at the point of purchase.
- The Star was introduced into a tank that has "way low" Alkalinity and pH (actual #'s ?); two parameters that are more damaging to Echinoderms than anything else.
- The Star was forcibly removed from it's mess of a new home and placed in a bowl, simply accelerating further damage and deterioration.
- Everyone here thinks that something is eating the Star, while another MB came up with the idea of necrosis due to unknown cause.

This is all very sad to me. This club's purpose is to promote education and responsible reefkeeping. It makes me think very hard about what I know and what I am doing.

Mark - don't be sad.  I think this thread is a great example of promoting education and responsible reef keeping.  We all learn when this type of thing is posted.  I have kept a lot of sea stars over the years and I've never seen this exact thing happen before - I have no idea what it is, but my initial thought it was either an bacteria caused infection or a deterioration caused by ???? .

Most of the deaths I have had go completely unresolved.  When we can see symptoms and discuss possible causes - we all learn what to avoid. 

Exactly. That's why I'm sad. That a hobbyist coming here would have such a problem and we have no idea what it is. I may think I know a lot, but I don't. I saw this thread soon after she posted. Not knowing what was causing the deterioration, I chose to wait and see.

Of course once this starts, fish might pick at it, Hermits and Bristleworms will definitely smell it and search it out.

The bigger questions are how did it begin in the first place and what is the best course to promote recovery? From what little I know, I believe Steve has hit the nail right on the head.

Edit> Jackie, I know that you care. I didn't mean any disrespect, though my words are often poorly chosen. I'll bet this Star was actually having problems before the tank came to your house. It may likely heal as you give it and the tank the TLC you are known for.


Edited by Mark Peterson - November 19 2010 at 9:38am