trapped Bristle star

[tsdid]

What should I do. I think I have a Bristle star trapped in a rock, I have had the rock for 5 months now and the star has grown and grown. I havnt tried freeing it because I always thought it was a type of worm. Now I notice that there are 5 legs and it has stripes on it, and im thinking its a star. What should I do. Its going to be a pain to get to that rock because of my anemone. If I do try to get it out whats the best way without hurting it. Ill post pictures soon.

 

[dude23455]

I doubt it's really stuck. I would just leave it alone

 

[stachy]

I agree, leave it alone. I had 2 in my tank and one of them found its way into the overflow. It came out 2 months later. I recall seeing it try to feed through the small slits toward the bottom of the overflow.

 

[tsdid]

I'm debateing what to do. I know it never comes out and the legs are about 4 incus long so I imagine the body would be .25-.50 and the holes the legs come out of are way to small for that to come out

 

[stachy]

be careful, bristles don't do well out of the water. I had one that was 16-18" accross and the center was at least 1 1/4" across. I thoght it was trapped and tried to help it out and it lost a leg. I grew back a few months later. I still never got him to come out.
I see it this way, If its a hitch hiker, well then bonus. If you bought it then leave it alone for a few weeks. Feed him some silversides. I would chop them up and allow the water, not the fish into the tank. This should make him want to come out and look for food. Make sure you wait untill the lights are out as they are usually light sensitive. It should come out on its own.

 

[tsdid]

It was a hitchhiker. I havnt feed him specificly but have seen him grab things from nearby rocks.

 

[smellslikefish]

Originally Posted by Stachy
http:///forum/post/2537254
I agree, leave it alone. I had 2 in my tank and one of them found its way into the overflow. It came out 2 months later. I recall seeing it try to feed through the small slits toward the bottom of the overflow.
Wow, the exact same thing happened to me. I tried to get it out but decided to leave it alone. It came out about a couple months later on its own.

 

[ophiura]

I would not try and get it out, it is fine. Believe me, it is fine. In fact, it may come out quite frequently in the middle of the night. Brittlestars are nocturnal, I wouldn't expect to see more than arms during the day.