Serpent Star's Legs Don't Look Good

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Weir_Head, Apr 2, 2011.

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  1. Weir_Head

    Weir_Head Skunk Shrimp

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    I've had a Serpent in my tank for about 2 weeks now.
    It travels around like crazy at night, and seems to be eating or whatever it is it does...

    But today I noticed that some of it's "legs" are in bad shape.
    Perhaps this is how they were when I bought it, I should have inspected it better, or if it's happening in my tank.

    Do these regenerate?
    What would be the cause of this? Would hermits get to it

    A few of the legs are a good inch or so shorter. And is the Bumpy skin a problem as well?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    I am not sure in what period of time, but yes, the limbs of sea stars will grow back.

    ..not sure about potential predators. What do you have in your tank(that you know of) ?
     
  4. Weir_Head

    Weir_Head Skunk Shrimp

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    Well, that I know of...
    Yellow Tang, 2 Clowns, Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, Pink Anthias, and Foxface Rabbit.
    Bunch of snails
    1 worm that I've seen bothering a coral a few nights ago. Worm looked like the kind you fish with though, nothing horror-movie looking.
     
  5. evolved

    evolved Wrasse Freak

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    How big is the tank? And how old?

    This is usually what they look like as they start to die from starvation...

    Large ones have been known to crash tanks when they die from a considerable ammonia spike.
     
  6. VooDoo

    VooDoo Fire Shrimp

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    Thats what mine looked like when I got it and it has been in my tank for about a month or two and his legs are growing back nicely
     
  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Check your nitrates and make sure they are below 5ppm this could be the problem. Also it may just be stress from capture and moving.