Disintegrating Brittle Star

[chadg]

So, this has been going on for about 6 months now. My brittle star started to get cracks in it's body. Saw some white inside. His body is now almost completely gone. But, he is still alive and keeps moving around. Not much, but if I touch him he does move away. I don't think there is any hope for him, but wondering if anyone has seen anything like this. His body used to be about the same size as where you see all the white now. He is about 20 years old......

 

[reefpunk707]

I don't know if it's the same for this species but sand sifting stars will shed their legs and kinda just fall apart when they are starving

 

[chadg]

I don't think he is starving. I feed a good amount and like I said, I've had him for about 20 years. Feed patterns have been pretty consistent.

 

[reefpunk707]

I don't think he is starving. I feed a good amount and like I said, I've had him for about 20 years. Feed patterns have been pretty consistent.

For sure. Just my first thought after reading.

 

[chadg]

Just bumping the thread up.... has anyone seen anything like this?

 

[Johniejumbo]

I haven’t but I’d like to know if anyone has. Following along. I just got a fairly large red brittle star.

 

[Miller535]

The only time I have seen this is due to either water quality or predation. Stars are sensitive to things in the water that other things aren't.

 

[Tiger Brown]

Let's see, 20 year old sea star that typically has a life span around 5 years, hold a sec, getting the calculator out, carry the one, tap, tap, aaaaaaaannnnnnd, he is 320 years old in human years. He looks like my great uncle before he passed.

I think it's just his time.

 

[Miller535]

Let's see, 20 year old sea star that typically has a life span around 5 years, hold a sec, getting the calculator out, carry the one, tap, tap, aaaaaaaannnnnnd, he is 320 years old in human years. He looks like my great uncle before he passed.

I think it's just his time.

I retract my last comment, I missed the 20 year part. I too would call this old age.

 

[TriggerFinger]

A quick google search shows that brittle stars live “several years”, one site mentioned 6-7. It may have lived the great life in your tank and it’s on the way out through no fault of your own. Good luck

 

[Daddy-o]

I have had a couple do that as they die. Kinda weird thing is that dead parts will continue to move for a week or so.

 

[chadg]

Thanks... I guess I'll just chalk it up to old age... Funny, I wanted to take him out a couple of times as I did not want him to spike my take as he died, but when I went to touch him he moved so much I felt bad that I was killing him... So, I left him. He is back under some rock that I can't find. I guess I l'll just watch my numbers closely... Thanks for the reply's...

 

[Rmckoy]

My black brittle star disappeared after 5-6 years .

I still have another that’s pushing 10 years but not sure exactly what species .
It’s more of a brown colour and doesn’t have long spines on its tentacles .