serpent star legs look funny

K

Kay

I don't see my serpent star much. I've had four months. Tonight he came out and three of his five legs looked shorter than the last time I saw him. I tried to target feed him but don't think he got anything. I would feed him but I don't know where he is most of the time. Does this mean he's going to die or is starving? One of his legs looks actually bit off.

Kay
 
I rarely see mine, but they get food from the tank. They are part of the clean up crew.

Next time you feed your tank, watch for it closely. You'll usually only see one arm out (in the rockwork) waving in the current trying to catch floating food.
 
I've got 6 largish serpent stars in my 150, and they've been in there for years (I had 9 at one point, removed a few just 'cause I thought I had too many)... I never target feed 'em, as Marc says they're clean up crew, and they also help themselves quite quickly when I feed the tank.

It always creeps my dad out, he's really squeamish, and has to leave the room if he's visiting and I'm feeding the tank. The sight of all those tentecles emerging from the rockwork like that just ooks him out too much... :)

As far as the torn leg, I've noticed something similiar on a few of mine from time to time, but in general I wouldn't worry TOO much about it unless it keeps happening... Any chance you have a Harlequin Shrimp hitchhiker? (That was a joke, that would be HIGHLY unlikely)
 
Because the serpent stars can move quickly, they don't normally get nibbled too quickly (unless it's a bigger/faster fish); however, I have lost way too many normal starfish to crabs (esp larger electric blue crabs), peppermint shrimp, etc. I'd try to locate him again as soon as possible and if it is being eaten, try to locate the predator and remove either it or the serpent. It seems to me the raw flesh exposed by being eaten a bit also causes more interest from others that othewise wouldn't bother it. As far as eating, I also agree with the 'not necessary' normally. They scavenge well for themselves.

Doug
 
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