Chocolate chip starfish trouble?

[caribbean guy]

Hey can anyone out there tell me why this starfish is doing this?
When we first got him a 4 months ago he was very mobile and energetic. Now Every morning that I wake up he is laying on his back and all of the middle of his body is puffy like he is trying to stick on to something. He does not move as fast as before, he seems less able to hold himself up on the rocks. I looked closely at his body to see if he is melting away but I see nothing I am just worried about him my wife to be really loves this little guy. Some one please if you have any information or experienced anything like this please let me know. Thanks guys.

 

[ophiura]

What are you feeding him?
What are your water parameters, especially specific gravity, pH, alk?
What animals is he in with?
What size tank?

 

[caribbean guy]

He is in hospital tank with only strawberry crab and blue leg hermits.
Feed small amounts of brine shrimp
supplements
used in tank it was in - Calcium and iodine
Tank was 30 gallon
Hospital tank now is 10 gallon
Any help will be appreciated

 

[caribbean guy]

All reasdings were normal

 

[ophiura]

How long did you acclimate him to the main tank, and then to the hospital tank?
What are 'normal' readings? Specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026, 0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH 8.2, etc.
He should be fed something more substantial, brine is not a good food for anything unless it is fortified. Shrimp pellets, squid, krill, etc are good choices, and you can put him right on top of the food.
Keep in mind also that this is not a reef safe star.

 

[luvnluk]

I have 2, now, and they both love raw shrimp (only the kind from my favorite deli, of course). Usually, they ask for it by climbing to the top and sticking an arm out! I love my lil' buddies ( I do not have a reef so all is well )

 

[dindi]

I too have one and mine does the same thing, feeding time and an arm is out, I give mine little pieces of fish. It also loves the algea clip I put out for my clown surgeon, kinda wraps around in the morning for some extra chow. This doesn't anwser the tread but my input nonetheless