My linkia dropped 2 1/2 arms!!!

[ci11337]

This morning i saw my linkia multiflora was missing 2 full arms and the tip of a 3rd. I know they sometimes do this to reproduce but i thought they only drop one arm. What worries me most is 2 days ago i vacumed the CC and i'm afraid i might have done it.

He seems to be alive and ok. I also located one of his arms climbing up the rock. Is it possible that he dropped multiple arms to reproduce? Do you think he'll survive? I've had him for about 2 years now. This is the best pic i could get...

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by ci11337
This morning i saw my linkia multiflora was missing 2 full arms and the tip of a 3rd. I know they sometimes do this to reproduce but i thought they only drop one arm. What worries me most is 2 days ago i vacumed the CC and i'm afraid i might have done it.

He seems to be alive and ok. I also located one of his arms climbing up the rock. Is it possible that he dropped multiple arms to reproduce? Do you think he'll survive? I've had him for about 2 years now. This is the best pic i could get...
It should survive and grow new arms, as long as his "guts" are not damaged.

 

[larryndana]

is there anything in there that would bother him?

 

[ci11337]

Not that i know of, i haven't added anything but turbo snails to the tank recently. Both the star and the one leg that i see are moving around, hopefully i'll have 2 or 3 stars soon!!

 

[ci11337]

Bump.

 

[njbeacher]

Originally Posted by ci11337
...I also located one of his arms climbing up the rock.
Am I the only one who heard scary music in their head when they read this part?

 

[ophiura]

If your parameters are stable, I see little reason to be concerned overall. THis species commonly does this. Keep an eye out that it heals and for the arm bits to regenerate as well!

 

[ci11337]

Originally Posted by ophiura
If your parameters are stable, I see little reason to be concerned overall. THis species commonly does this. Keep an eye out that it heals and for the arm bits to regenerate as well!
Thank you so much, I'm going on vacation this weekend and i was so worried he'd die while i was gone. I'll keep an extra close eye on the parameters.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Originally Posted by ophiura
If your parameters are stable, I see little reason to be concerned overall. THis species commonly does this. Keep an eye out that it heals and for the arm bits to regenerate as well!

I thought that in order for a new star to regenerate from a lost leg, the leg must have a piece of the center ring so that it can get all of the necessary "plumbing" that runs the tubercules? I know that stars use a water intake system that moves the tubercules around and I thought I remember learning that they have to have a part of their center ring in order to regenerate. Just a question

 

[ric maniac]

Originally Posted by njbeacher
Am I the only one who heard scary music in their head when they read this part?

lol my thoughts exactly!

 

[sk8shorty01]

Originally Posted by ric maniac
lol my thoughts exactly!

I was thinking that too, isnt that a sign of a dying star? Legs falling off? I am curious because I just got my first star and would like to know if something is going a muck with him/her

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by sk8shorty01
I thought that in order for a new star to regenerate from a lost leg, the leg must have a piece of the center ring so that it can get all of the necessary "plumbing" that runs the tubercules? I know that stars use a water intake system that moves the tubercules around and I thought I remember learning that they have to have a part of their center ring in order to regenerate. Just a question

Not in this group of seastars. They are characterized by being able to drop off small pieces of the arms and have them regenerate, as a means of asexual reproduction. However in other stars, such as the "classic" star Asterias (predator of oyster beds), they do need a certain amount of the central disk to accomplish this.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Not in this group of seastars. They are characterized by being able to drop off small pieces of the arms and have them regenerate, as a means of asexual reproduction. However in other stars, such as the "classic" star Asterias (predator of oyster beds), they do need a certain amount of the central disk to accomplish this.

Ok thank you very much. That is what I was wondering, if all stars held true to this general "rule". Thanks, and its great to know that there is such an intelligent star expert on the boards that can answer all of these tough questions, especially because I just got my first star