Is my green brittle star dying?

Twalker791 · Nov 30, 2020

I brought a green brittle star home about 10 days ago. He found a place to hide, and ate a clam I threw in there for him. He was acclimated properly, and now he never moves. Like never. Night or day he’s always in the same spot- and even when I moved him out in the open of the tank he stays right there. As soon as I feed the tank or turn the tank lights on, his arms start to move and wave around, and he will grab a clam if I put it next to him but he doesn’t really actually move towards anything or go back into a hiding place. I’m not sure if he’s gonna wind up dead any time now or what- but I have checked a lot at night to see if he’s out scavenging but he’s always right where I leave him. Water levels are fine also. I seem to see people say they move around a lot and come running for food- but I’m not seeing it happen at all anymore.

JGT · Nov 30, 2020

Twalker791 said:
I brought a green brittle star home about 10 days ago. He found a place to hide, and ate a clam I threw in there for him. He was acclimated properly, and now he never moves. Like never. Night or day he’s always in the same spot- and even when I moved him out in the open of the tank he stays right there. As soon as I feed the tank or turn the tank lights on, his arms start to move and wave around, and he will grab a clam if I put it next to him but he doesn’t really actually move towards anything or go back into a hiding place. I’m not sure if he’s gonna wind up dead any time now or what- but I have checked a lot at night to see if he’s out scavenging but he’s always right where I leave him. Water levels are fine also. I seem to see people say they move around a lot and come running for food- but I’m not seeing it happen at all anymore.

Crazy question.. are you sure he isn’t already dead? They usually don’t let you just grab them and place them somewhere and even then, to not move? Doesn’t sound right.

Twalker791 · Nov 30, 2020

JGT said:
Crazy question.. are you sure he isn’t already dead? They usually don’t let you just grab them and place them somewhere and even then, to not move? Doesn’t sound right.

He is definitely alive. I just put a clam a ways away from him and his arms moved around a lot and grabbed it and pulled it in but he didn’t really eat it- and every time I turn the lights on or feed the tank he suddenly starts moving his arms- just never MOVES.

JGT · Nov 30, 2020

Twalker791 said:
He is definitely alive. I just put a clam a ways away from him and his arms moved around a lot and grabbed it and pulled it in but he didn’t really eat it- and every time I turn the lights on or feed the tank he suddenly starts moving his arms- just never MOVES.

Guess you just got yourself a lazy brittle star.

Twalker791 · Nov 30, 2020

JGT said:
Guess you just got yourself a lazy brittle star.

I guess that’s better than the “Death Stars” that people seem to be so concerned about. He was quick to hide the first day or two but now he just hangs out and stays put. Guess time will tell

JGT · Nov 30, 2020

Twalker791 said:
I guess that’s better than the “Death Stars” that people seem to be so concerned about. He was quick to hide the first day or two but now he just hangs out and stays put. Guess time will tell

Yes, wouldn’t worry. Normally, they don’t move around a lot. If anything when the lights go out, but they are good clean up crew.

Twalker791 · Nov 30, 2020

JGT said:
Yes, wouldn’t worry. Normally, they don’t move around a lot. If anything when the lights go out, but they are good clean up crew.

Well that’s what I was figuring was I was just missing it- but just for him to literally stay exactly in the same spot and never moving at night seemed odd or to not hide when the lights are on- but who knows. Thank you!

CanuckReefer · Nov 30, 2020

Mine (black) does same occasionally over 2 years now. A week or two at a time, lifeless or hidden away and then all of a sudden back at it sliding all over the place....