Starfish Health/Age - Insight needed

[Twin_II]

I have had a brittle starfish for 6+years and have recently noticed that it appears to be deteriorating. Its underside appears to be spiny and doesn’t take food into its stomach but picks it apart. Water tests come back fine.

I found a small white brittle star not far from where my brittle has been hiding.

How long do they live and how do they reproduce?

Thank you!
Sarah

 

[fungia]

hi sarah, i tried to find information about how old they live too, i dont know if there is much research done on them. i have read some urchins live for about 10 years so maybe the starfish are the same. it sounds reasonable that your guy might be getting old. starfish reproduce sexually so i dont think the little ones you are seeing are the babies. maybe another species that you didnt notice before.

 

[fungia]

i just found some info online that said one starfish had a lifespan of 7-8 years so i think your is just getting old. that is sad but a good sign you have a healthy system that your starfish can live its entire normal life.

 

[Twin_II]

Thank you Fungia! I hope he enjoy his home as much as I enjoyed him. He will be missed if he doesn't recover.