VERY sick choc chip starfish..help! Is it a disease?

Hi guys, I hope someone can give me advice/help explain what is happening to my Chocolate Chip Starfish? He was completely fine and then about 4 days ago moved to the bottom corner of my tank and hasn't moved at all.

I tried moving him today to see if he would get going, and to my shock and horror I saw that one of his legs looks like it is disintergrating off and you can see the fibers of his leg muscles...Disease or injury or what?

WHAT the hell happenned? IS there anything I can do???

The salinity was a bit high, so doing a water change today. All other levels are fine.

Help?

 

Unfortunately it looks like the star is dying. Starfish can be sensitive to changes in water chemistry, a rise in SG is enough.

I would proceed with the water change, and remove the starfish if you see further decay.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Sound advice. How big is your tank and how long has it been running?

 

It is 10 gallons and running for two months ....

 

Should I try to put him in a separate quarantine or just watch and wait?

 

I suspect the tank is too unstable at it's young age. A 10 gallon tank just newly cycled is a challenge, specifically when maintaining consistent water chemistry. I would take the Starfish back to the local fish store if it's still alive. Quarantine at this point would be of little benefit.

 

Ok. Thank you all much