chastjw71

I have had nearly this exact problem with a brittle star I had for 3 months, one day a massive hole appeared in the top of its central disk, and then it just wasted away until it looked like your picture, still moved and ate fine, but it pretty much had its disk turned inside out, it never recovered and after it didnt come out at feeding time for 2 weeks, I counted it as dead, took it out and sent it to the big fishbowl in the sky. I know this sounds cruel, but honestly, I wasn't willing the put the health of my tank on the line if this was some strange parasite or something, over a $15 starfish that was easily replaced. At some point you have to weigh the benefits and risks of the problem at hand. I would keep a close eye on it, if it becomes ultra reclusive, pluck it out before it creates an ammonia spike and makes your tank sick.

That one is in really bad shape. I doubt it will recover from that even under the best nursing conditions.

Hate to say it, but its probably done for. Moving it, e.g. chasing it to get it out, is probably going to trigger its death due to stress. Sad way to go. I hope its not in any pain.

My serpent star lost its top a few months ago. It definitely wasn't as bad as yours because I could still see intestines or gonads in the central disk area. Mine made a full recovery. I left in my display for several weeks until I had to do some serious rock work and then moved it to my fuge. Good luck.

thanks everyone, I decide to move him and see how he does away from the display, I was able to grab him after the lights went out when he was in the open. Hes down to 4 legs though, one "fell" off before I took him out of display, poor guys just falling apart.