Brittlestar dying?

[redmorrigan]

This morning my brittlestar has stretched across a rock holding on with two legs holding on. The rest of it's legs are in a pile in front of the rock and it looks like it's body's torn is there anything I can do? What's going on? I've only had it about a week, a rescue. It's very big and a few years old

 

[therootcause]

Gather the starfish with your hand and place it in a small container. Clip the container to the inside rim of your tank to float it while you observe.

Please list additional tank inhabitants.

 

[redmorrigan]

Gather the starfish with your hand and place it in a small container. Clip the container to the inside rim of your tank to float it while you observe.

Please list additional tank inhabitants.

No other tank inhabitants, I'm just starting out. The brittlestar was given by a friend whose husband was going to kill it because it ate a fish I hope it doesn't die, but it also might be 3-4 years old or more. It's about 16-18" across

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is your tank brand new? It might have starved in a brand new tank. They are normally pretty hardy.

But really need much more info to offer better suggestion. How old is the tank, water parameters, tank picture always helps, any tank mates? etc....

 

[therootcause]

Welcome to the forum.

No other tank inhabitants, I'm just starting out. The brittlestar was given by a friend whose husband was going to kill it because it ate a fish I hope it doesn't die, but it also might be 3-4 years old or more. It's about 16-18" across

Please provide the age of the tank, any water parameters you are able to test for (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), foods fed, and photos.

 

[redmorrigan]

Is your tank brand new? It might have starved in a brand new tank. They are normally pretty hardy.

But really need much more info to offer better suggestion. How old is the tank, water parameters, tank picture always helps, any tank mates? etc....

It is a brand new tank. I did use live sand and rock, and water from the old tank. I have been attempting to get it to eat, supplied food, but it may not be eating due to change? I'm attaching pics, it's moved since this morning so it is alive. I've been feeding dried brine shrimp and pellets given to me by previous owner. Salinity 1.025, ph 8.2. I don't have a reading on others, waiting on a test kit. But I do use purigen

 

[redmorrigan]

All those legs you see in the pic appear to be detached and only two remaining, and body looks like it was tearing in half

 

[therootcause]

It is time to discard the starfish before it melts in the tank. Do not add anything else until you receive your testing supplies and the tank is cycled and ready for inhabitants. I suspect that the added food and waste has caused an ammonia spike due to the lack of established bacteria.

 

[redmorrigan]

It is time to discard the starfish before it melts in the tank. Do not add anything else until you receive your testing supplies and the tank is cycled and ready for inhabitants. I suspect that the added food and waste has caused an ammonia spike due to the lack of established bacteria.

After more research I think I changed the water parameters too quickly I feel bad about it dying. And I won't be putting anything in the tank for probably a few months. I want to start a refugium as well and get it stable for marine life. Thanks for your answers