Freaky Serpent Starfish

[Jim]

I have/had a red serpent star. Two days ago I found one of his legs detached. It was in a spot that would be impossible to reach so I left it there. Today I spotted 2 more legs in the back of the tank, still unreachable. While feeding today, I noticed the fist leg that I found 2 days ago is still moving and trying to grab food. TOTALLY freaked me out. I haven't found the body or other 2 legs yet. Is this normal?? I've heard starfish will grow legs back I don't think a leg can grow a body.

 

[marrone]

It is normal, though it usually a sign that water conditions maybe getting a little bad. The legs will usually regrow in time but I don't think I've seen a leg grow a body, unless it had a piece of the body with it when it came off. The other thing could be something attacked it and took off a leg.

 

[Jim]

I'll check my parameters tomorrow.

 

[Nandez13]

Following. Very curious how this develops. Keep us posted

 

[albano]

I had the same thing happen with one of my serpents...the leg died after a few days

 

[CubeCube]

Mind is a little different.
One day i found him lying in the back of the tank. All the legs is there except the body is gone, only little left connecting the legs. The whole body part is white exposing the tissues. I can't reach it to take it out. When i touch it, it still has some little movement.
2-3 days later, i can't find him anymore.
After 2 weeks, he's running around for food with an ugly white top. Looks scary like a headless ghost.
Its been almost 2 months now. He is very healthy and searching for food. The body is only 1/4 recovered with normal color.
Very strong life form creature !

 

[MIKE NY]

It's not normal for a healthy serpant to drop a leg It's usually a sign of stress from water quality, fish harassment etc. The leg will die within a few days and the body will re-grow a new one if the stress is removed. I had two of them and each one lived over ten years. When they finally died off they dropped all their legs and the body basically fell apart. I learned alot through conversations I had via PMs with a Dr on another site who specialized in Ophiuroids down in Texas.

 

[Jim]

Checked my parameters:

Mag-1380
Cal- 440
dKH-9.7
Nitrate <.02
Po4 .18

The phosphates are a little high but I'm a little overdue on my Rowaphos change. But I don't think my water quality is the culprit here.