BrittleStar leg still alive 2 WEEKS LATER

jared2 · 09/18/2006, 06:29 AM

I have a brittlestar that lost about an inch off the end of one of it's legs two weeks ago. The strangest thing about this is that the tiny fragment of leg was still moving about when I first noticed it. Keep in mind, it may have fallen off before that (maybe I just didn't notice).

I put it in a glass to inspect it and sure enough, it still twists around and pulls itself by it's tube feet. I figured this would go on for a few days, but when the fragment ran out of nutrition, it would simply stop moving (die).

Any idea how long this will go on? I know starfish have amazing regenerative properties, but I've never heard of a leg re-creating an entire animal before. Typically, if it is to regenerate a whole body, it must retain a portion of the center.

Any thoughts? Is there something I could do to make it grow a whole new body?

Jared

dc · 09/18/2006, 08:29 AM

LOL, I've heard of this, it's amazing how long they can do that. I'm betting it's running out of steam tho. Maybe it's trying to regenerate? That's my guess. You are right they need part of the oral disc to actually do that.

stereomandan · 09/18/2006, 09:39 AM

I had a little blue linkia that dropped a leg and it grew into a whole new starfish. The leg regenerated on the original blue linkia as well.

Takes months.

Dan

jared2 · 09/18/2006, 09:45 AM

Interesting...Well, I don't see any substantial growth on the leg yet. It is quite small.

It doesn't really move much unless provoked. If I touch it, it twists and the tube feet start moving. I would be very interested to see if it were able to start growing.

Zoos · 09/18/2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stereomandan
I had a little blue linkia that dropped a leg and it grew into a whole new starfish. The leg regenerated on the original blue linkia as well.

Takes months.

Dan

I have seen a blue Linkia regenerate an entire body from a single leg with no oral disc also.

boxfishpooalot · 09/18/2006, 10:49 AM

fraggin linkia's

hmmmmm

jared2 · 09/18/2006, 11:57 AM

LOL...now that's just sadistic...yet profitable!

09/18/2006, 06:29 AM	#1
jared2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 49	BrittleStar leg still alive 2 WEEKS LATER I have a brittlestar that lost about an inch off the end of one of it's legs two weeks ago. The strangest thing about this is that the tiny fragment of leg was still moving about when I first noticed it. Keep in mind, it may have fallen off before that (maybe I just didn't notice). I put it in a glass to inspect it and sure enough, it still twists around and pulls itself by it's tube feet. I figured this would go on for a few days, but when the fragment ran out of nutrition, it would simply stop moving (die). Any idea how long this will go on? I know starfish have amazing regenerative properties, but I've never heard of a leg re-creating an entire animal before. Typically, if it is to regenerate a whole body, it must retain a portion of the center. Any thoughts? Is there something I could do to make it grow a whole new body? Jared

09/18/2006, 08:29 AM	#2
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	LOL, I've heard of this, it's amazing how long they can do that. I'm betting it's running out of steam tho. Maybe it's trying to regenerate? That's my guess. You are right they need part of the oral disc to actually do that. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

09/18/2006, 09:39 AM	#3
stereomandan Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,888	I had a little blue linkia that dropped a leg and it grew into a whole new starfish. The leg regenerated on the original blue linkia as well. Takes months. Dan __________________ 90g Tank, 75 lbs Live Rock, T5, T8 and VHO Lighting, Closed loop on Snapper Pump 1.5" Sand in main tank, DSB in 38g Sump, B-ionic Daily, Temp 79, SG 1.026 LPS, Softies Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Reef

09/18/2006, 10:49 AM	#6
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	fraggin linkia's hmmmmm __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/18/2006, 09:45 AM	#4
jared2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 49	Interesting...Well, I don't see any substantial growth on the leg yet. It is quite small. It doesn't really move much unless provoked. If I touch it, it twists and the tube feet start moving. I would be very interested to see if it were able to start growing.

09/18/2006, 11:57 AM	#7
jared2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 49	LOL...now that's just sadistic...yet profitable!