Brittle Star Changing

[southernreefer]

I have had a brittle star for almost 7 years, and he had gotten pretty big. I noticed the other night that his legs seem significantly shorter all of a sudden. His central disc seems much smaller as well. My tank is thriving. I cannot think of anything that may have caused such a problem. I am, however, worried. If there is something adversely affecting him, I certainly want to change it. Thank you, in advance, for your help and input.

 

[melypr1985]

interesting.. do you have before and after pics? That would be something to see

 

[southernreefer]

interesting.. do you have before and after pics? That would be something to see

It keeps saying that the image is too large and won't post. Any recommendations?

 

[melypr1985]

It keeps saying that the image is too large and won't post. Any recommendations?

I dont know how to resize a picture. Not to tech savy.... but i know thats what needs doing.

 

[southernreefer]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/02/2c6adc50e7db995a897e8837e0771921.jpg[/IMG
This one is about a year ago?

 

[southernreefer]

Sorry, I don't know what's wrong with it posting.

 

[southernreefer]

His legs were easily over a foot long and central disc almost a half dollar size. Now I would say legs maybe 6-8 inches and central disc the size of a quarter. I'll work on resizing the images in order to load them.

 

[melypr1985]

well I'll keep a look out for the pictures, cause I'd love to see that. In the mean time let's see if anybody in the [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] knows what's happening here.

 

[4FordFamily]

Stumped me!! I know they can change shape just by moving around and making themselves appear different. I have a GIANT brittle star probably 10-12" across that I had NO idea existed until about a year ago he started appearing. I did not add him or any new rock for at least 2-3 years... Maybe you have two?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have three thoughts:

1. He's starving.

2. Nitrates are too high.

3. Change in salinity. Stars don't like quick changes in salinity.

Note, the above are blind guesses.

 

[southernreefer]

Stumped me!! I know they can change shape just by moving around and making themselves appear different. I have a GIANT brittle star probably 10-12" across that I had NO idea existed until about a year ago he started appearing. I did not add him or any new rock for at least 2-3 years... Maybe you have two?

I thought about that originally actually! I've been on the hunt for my old guy in case this is it.

 

[southernreefer]

I have three thoughts:

1. He's starving.

2. Nitrates are too high.

3. Change in salinity. Stars don't like quick changes in salinity.

Note, the above are blind guesses.

Thank you for the input. I check levels regularly but just rechecked. Nitrates are around 10, and salinity 1.023. I don't understand, though why he would be starving now. He's been a healthy staple in my tank almost 7 years.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Shrinking is almost always a case of a brittle star starving.