Ideas for coaxing brittle star from overflow

[Tumey]

So this is a new one for me. I recently had to tear down my big tank and transfer my reef back to my old tank. Well….. one of my brittle stars decided to make home between the sections of my overflow. The tank is an Oceanic 150g with two durso overflows.
The star’s body is probably 1-3/4” in diameter and arms are probably 10” to 12”long. So let’s hear those ideas to coax this guy towards the upper portion of the overflow where I can fish him out and get him in the DT again?

Here’s what we’re trying to free

and this is the space I have to work with, Lol

Thanks Everyone!

 

[KrisReef]

Leave it right there, it will keep the crevice clean!

If you stop the flow the star might just crawl out? Stop the flow to a trickle and put a chunk of meaty food upstream and the star might come hunting? Recommend low sodium hotdogs or diced clams for bait. Gl

 

[JumboShrimp]

Will it move away from a strong flashlight, and would it’s repositioning help you scoop it up or net it in any way?

 

[Karen00]

If the other suggestions don't work can you reach in with a long plastic hook to gently pull him out? Even something like a coat hanger untwisted and wrapped in fabric around the hook portion so the metal doesn't scratch him (that's why plastic would be better).

 

[fachatga]

Chopsticks

 

[Tumey]

Leave it right there, it will keep the crevice clean!

I thought about it but worried about this guy growing too big inside there

Will it move away from a strong flashlight

The tank is 30” deep and he only wants to descend when I attempted this

can you reach in with a long plastic hook to gently pull him out? Even something like a coat hanger

I did think about trying this but haven’t yet.

 

[Uzidaisies]

I’d tie a piece of string on a shrimp, and try to fish him out. I wouldn’t count on it working though.

 

[Apotack]

is there a way pump water into the slot and push it out? Or maybe air bubbles

 

[Tumey]

I’d tie a piece of string on a shrimp, and try to fish him out.

I’ve thought about doing this too. The arms are so long I was guessing it would just reach for the treat from where it’s sitting
Lol

is there a way pump water into the slot and push it out?

With the brittle stars once they get a grip with an arm it’s difficult to get them to let loose. The design of the overflow would prevent the water being pumped in to maintain it’s pressure

 

[Auquanut]

I'm going to go with @KrisReef on this one. He'll come out when he gets hungry. Might be able to entice him out, but I personally wouldn't force the issue. Could cause more harm than good.