Bubble tip brittle starfish... no data or reading   6/12/08
I have a bubble tip brittle starfish that has a bit of a problem. About 2 days ago i noticed that he has a hole in the center of his disc about 4 cm in diameter. i don't know if this something to worry about because i could see direct through him.
<... is>
i noticed that there where brittles that were moving through the hole that appeared. Is this a common thing for starfish to do? I did do a water change the day before this happened.
<Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marind5_5.htm
toward the bottom... Bob Fenner>

Stars...    8/12/07
I caught a couple of Millipede Starfish. I was so gentle! Imagine my surprise when some of the legs started dropping off. What was that about and how could that have been prevented? Also, how can you preserve them?
Vickie
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marind5_5.htm
the last two trays. Bob Fenner>

Polydactylous Ophiuroids?  - 02/22/07
Bob,
<Hi Brian, Mich with you today.>
Possible for brittle stars to have more than 5 arms?  
<Yep!  More or less are possible.  Often related to injury or reproduction... or an injury resulting in reproduction!>
What I have in my tank - did not purchase - just showed up - tons of live rock - has 6 arms - but has the disc body with small spiny arms.  
<They are often hitchhikers.  Be aware that if it's a green brittle star, it is a potential fish eater.>
Just curious.
<A valuable quality.>
Thanks,
Brian
<Welcome!  -Mich>

Brittle Star question, gen.  husbandry   2/13/07
Bob, Anthony, Crew.
<Tirion>
Hope you are well.
<Yes my friend, thank you>
I am interested in obtaining general husbandry information (care and feeding) of Ophiocoma wendtii.  I have search high and low (well, at least to me) and 99.9% of the articles and information center exclusively on the crystalline lenses that make up their 'vision' and state nothing about their habits.
<This is so... much of the "state" of invertebrate zoology is in a very "early" phase of simple descriptive biology... Not much money to be had (presently I emphasize) in general husbandry issues...>
I would have to 'assume' that they are standard brittles in most aspects, sans being predominantly nocturnal.  I have opportunity to obtain a few.  However I will not at the risk of its well being or the general well being of my habitats populace.
Could you assist?
Regards and best to you all
Tirion
<As usual, I do wish I/we could... I am almost entirely ignorant re the practical care of the vast majority of species on the planet, even just the small percentage of those of common interest to us as hobbyists... If anything, I would make a pilgrimage to a/the large college library closest to you, and "do" a computer search bibliography re the species, then genus... up to the Order, Class... With terms like "care", "feeding"... in the search scheme... And of course, keep good notes yourself, use them and your lively ambition as an aquarist to compose, present as an article... Perhaps on our site! Bob Fenner>

Re: Brittle Star question   2/14/07
Thanks Bob,
<Welcome>
I have done so much looking for information (including some coastal places such as the Aquarium off NC).  I am reasonably sure that I have about as much info as I am likely to get on this one - especially if you and the crew are in the same situation.
<Perhaps... I can imagine what the "Net" is soon to become... and can see/envision an "end-point" to our and other species in space and time>
I had an epiphany regarding the Starfish last night.  Since these are captive and ready for sale to 'someone', and I am one of the more conscience hobbyists, I should probably just get them and care for them.  That way, I will know that whatever happens, their level of care will at least be dutiful.  My only failure to date have been Lysmata wurdemanni;  and even you advised me to just say no LOL.  I do have one now btw, for over 8 months now, so there :) (kidding around, y'all) Odd that my one downfall has been one of the easiest to the majority.
<I see>
A similar thought to the Atlantic dwarf octopus I wanted to try - someone will likely purchase it and pop it into a seahorse tank
<Mmm, sans the Gasterosteiforms...>
with low salinity and poor conditions.  Am setting up a small system with appropriate top and lighting for ceph's. and this is a good candidate.  I have access to smaller live foods.  There is a reasonable chance for a young juvenile so I might be able to track the entire sub 2-year life span.
<Neat>
Since they are not hermaphroditic that I am aware, I will miss out on any chance egg laying though...
<Mmm, unless you were to be fortunate to secure a gravid, fertilized female...>
Take good care.
<Be chatting my friend, BobF>

Green Brittle Star Dying?    10/6/06
Hi,
<Hello>
I have a 45 gallon saltwater reef tank and have had a Green Brittle Star in there for about a year now.  He is rather large and today I noticed one of my small anemones affixed itself to the brittle star's body (on the top).
<!>
Well, when I came home, all I saw was a little bit of the anemone's tentacles protruding from the upper part of brittle star's body.... Obviously he penetrated it's skin and had moved INSIDE the brittle star.
<Mmm, likely the two were/are caught in a predaceous act... to the detriment of the Serpentstar>
Well, the brittle star has continued to develop more "holes" on its upper body and is "hiding" by the filter versus behind the live rock (where it has remained for the last X months).
Any advice.... Is the anemone eating the brittle star from the inside out... or is it the other way around??
<A bit of both. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestardisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. BobF>
Thanks,
Craig Donnelly

Brittle Star... hlth., reading   8/16/06
I have a green brittle star. One of it's arms came off and a week and a  half still is moving in the bottom of the tank. The star is still doing fine, other than the missing arm. Can you tell me why this happened and will it grow   back?
<Can...>
Why is the arm still moving?
<Happens>
Thanks
Patricia Neal
<Likely something amiss with the environment, and/or nutrition. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestardisfaqs.htm

Sick brittle star? - 2/28/2006
Hi Crew,
I have a short spined brittle star in my reef tank.  The other day I noticed when I fed my fish, he did not come out of hiding.  He always comes out when there is food.  I spotted his legs dangling, so I gave the legs a piece of food which he accepted.  I lifted the rock to see what was going on & he has a brown spot on his disk.  This happened over night.  He is still hiding today.  He moved to another place & is still not coming out for food.  It looks like his "skin" came off in this spot & it is a little powdery.  Is this an infection? Injury? Parasites?
<Something amiss...>
I am still trying to hand feed his legs if I can or should I let him alone?  I hope he recovers.  He is my favorite critter in the tank.  Thanks, Linda, "heartsick".
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm
the linked files above... re Health/Disease, Systems of ophiuroids. Bob Fenner>

Does Killer the Brittle Star Have a Chance? - 12/11/2005
Hello,
<Hi Heather (my sister's name, she just calls me Brother though).>
I tried posting on the forum only to have it tell me (no matter how many times I logged in) that I was a guest and couldn't.
<Sorry that it gave you trouble. Do keep trying.>
Today while beach combing with my daughter I found a plain brown Brittle Star. He was out of the water for sometime (about 40 feet from the shoreline), on his back looking dead (so I thought till I saw a slight movement in one leg).
<My dog does that sometimes. It's hilarious when the front ones get going.>
To make a long story short, Killer is now in a small tank with sea water and some sand we picked up.
<Probably other "pollutants" in that sand. Could get ugly quick.>
He has perked up noticeably and is much stronger than when I found him and has even gone after the bits of clam stuck in the shells we found and explored his new 'tank'.
<Good signs. He may be a champ.>
A great improvement over a slight leg twitch on the beach.
<I don't know. I could go for a lazy, leg twitching day at the beach.>
Does Killer the brittle star have a chance after being completely out of the water for so long?
<Hmm. Try playing the Rocky theme. Honestly though, these guys  can be tough sometimes. Think of the ones that are out of the water for over a week, maybe two during the live rock collection/shipping process. Any water they are in is putrid, but they make it to home aquariums all the time.>
Would it be better to release him back to the North Sea or take him to my friend's aquarium store?
<He really could have been exposed to anything, so I wouldn't put him back at this point.>
Ideally I would love to keep him, however I do not have a saltwater tank (although I am willing to provide him with fresh water changes from beach I realize that is daft and I don't know
diddle about saltwater aquariums to begin with.)
<Perhaps your friend at the aquarium store could teach you. If you do keep him, I would look to synthetic salt for more environmental control (lots to die off suspended in the ocean). It's a journey worth taking.>
Thank you for any advise you have,
Heather
<Hope I've been able to help. - Josh>

Brittle Starfish  12/1/05
Hi Bob, 
<James with you today, Mr. Fenner is off on vacation>
Thanks for being the big help that you are!
<You're welcome> 
I have searched the site for answers to certain questions. I have a brittle star (brown) forget the actual name. I also have a tomato clown, green Chromis, Blue devil damsel (he is a devil), 
<<We're waiting for the animal to be renamed "Chrysiptera satanensis".  MH>>
and a bi-color Angel.
I tested the water and everything looked good, except the Ph seemed a tad low. So I tried bump it up a tiny bit. The brittle star was to suffer from that move. He had what appeared to be sores at the top of two legs (near the body) Only for me to read on your site later he may have been ready to drop those. He also developed a hole in his body, it was small. I read he may regenerate these things with good water quality, so I did a quick water change and he appears to be recovering. I see no hole any more, That is good right? 
<<Is very good, most folks have a good deal of trouble stopping necrosis in starfishes once it starts.  MH>>
To get to the real point.. The bi-color angel picks on him, I believe it is pulling the food off the Star. I read on you site they do not feel pain (star). So why does he flinch when the Angel picks at his legs. Is this normal behavior for the Angel? 
<<More normal for larger Pomacanthids, definitely known with triggers, rather than from Centropyge, but not unheard of.  Marina>>
What can I feed the brittle star that the others won't steal from him. I read meaty items all over you site but what are those items exactly?
In the Angel's defense he also keeps the Devil in check, as does the clown. 
<Joanne, by your description it appears the brittle star has developed necrosis, not an uncommon thing in sea stars. Starfish are very sensitive to changes in ph, temp, etc. which can lead to this condition. Acclimation should be done by the drip method. As far as meaty foods, and of the prepared frozen variety are fine although the brittle star will more than likely find plenty of uneaten food. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanking you in advance, Joanne 
<You're welcome> 

Starfish  11/30/05
Hi, I just purchased a live rock with lots of purple and green stuff and a purple mushroom, someone had moved and sold a pet store all their stuff out of a 200 g tank that was about 7 years old, but the rock had (she said) a spiny starfish in it. It will not come out???? It's arms wave from every crevice in that rock, they are 6 inches or so and black little ridges that wave like an anemone, what do I feed it, it catches the flakes and moves them down into the center of the rock. 
<Sounds like a brittle star by your description. No need to feed it, it will find uneaten food in the tank.> 
I also have noticed some little gold/orange worms with lots of legs, like a centipede coming from the rock, are they going to kill my tank? 
<<Tanks don't die, fish do.  Marina>>
<More than likely bristle worms, not a nice thing to have as they can multiply quickly. One way to keep the population down is by not overfeeding and creating excess nutrients. Most of these worms are harmless detritivore feeders but some can grow large and eat other inverts in the tank. Coral banded shrimp and arrow crabs supposedly hunt down these critters for supper.> 
They started moving to my other rocks. 
<James (Salty Dog)>
Help please 
<Also look at the FAQ's here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bristlewrmfaqs.htm > 

Green Brittle Star  11/10/05
I have a green brittle star and a black brittle star. We did a water change a few days ago. Everything stayed pretty consistent as far as pH saltwater etc. However a few days after the change my Green star disk started swelling it looks like he swallowed a rock and he's going to explode. Then a few days after my Green star did this my black star started as well. What is going on? 
<... mmm, maybe a reaction to the water change... but possibly from eating, reproductive products?>
Does it have anything to do with the water change (I was thinking it might but wouldn't they have started showing this right after the change not days later)?
<Not necessarily>
Could it possibly be air bubbles?
<Doubtful>
I have a bubble tube under the gravel to emit little bubbles to float to the top is it possible they swallowed air bubbles and can't get rid of the air? They are still moving and everything but the green one just yesterday had a arm come off. Both the Green starfish and his severed arm are continuously moving. Let me know what I should do. 
<... keep on keeping on...>
I also just read on your website that the green brittle star can eat sleeping fish (can the black one also?) 
<Mostly Ophiarachna amongst commonly kept Brittlestars...>
Maybe that is what has been happening to my fish. I have a well established maroon clown who always hangs out in his anemone but when I try to add any new fish like tangs they are fine during the day and then mysteriously over night they are dead with just their skeleton floating around or with crabs and starfish eating the body in the morning.
<Oops... time to get a flashlight out, check during the night...>
I thought the starfish and crabs were eating them after they died. Is it possible that either the crab or the starfish actually caught the fish and killed them?
<Oh yes>
Please get back to me as soon as you can. This is beginning to quickly become an expensive project.
Sherri Berg
<Bob Fenner> 

Re: Green Brittle Star  11/10/05
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. The Black star fish looks like his stomach came out and he was eating something last night. This morning I checked on him and he looks fine his big hump is gone. However my green one is not looking so good. He has lost another leg, still has his hump and is not coming out during feeding time.
Sherri Berg
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm and the linked files above, particularly "Disease". Bob Fenner> 

Green Brittle Star 9/30/05
Hi, recently I bought a green brittle starfish last week on Tuesday.  The pet store had a display tank which they took down and put in separate tanks to be sold.  The brittle starfish I bought was from that display tank. <The most common cause of problems with these animals is shipping stress.  If this animal was already established in captivity, then it has to be something else...>
My point is that now my starfish is like eating it's legs or something of the sort.  It's folding it's legs under him and I don't know if he's just cutting them off or eating them (maybe both -.- ).  Is he doing this because he's stressed from all the moving around or what? <Most likely, yes.  These animals are very sensitive to changes in salinity and pH.  It is most often recommended to acclimate them to a new tank over several hours and many folks actually use a "drip method" where a piece of airline with a loose knot is used to drip tank water into the bag water at a rate of one drop per second or so.>
One more thing, my dad also moved the starfish from one side of the tank to the other because we were afraid it was going after the damsels since he was in their hiding place.  Since we moved him, I feel he has been depressed or something.  They told us to feed him once a month.  Is he just hungry?  I hope you can help,
I really don't want him to die.  <Usually, when these animals start losing arms, they are doomed.  If it does recover, I would suggest small weekly feedings.  I would also watch it carefully for signs of predatory behavior, as they are quite capable of capturing fish.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Green brittle star loses all legs 29 Jun 2005
Hi
my green brittle star just lost all of its legs over a period of 2 days.  
<....>
I have him and his legs in their own one gallon tank now.
<?>
All system parameters are were they should be.  do you have any idea what's happening.  in the tank i have one Koran Angel (left the starfish alone), one Clarkii Clown (left the star alone), one Scooter Blenny (very peaceful), one Lemonpeel Angel (didn't bother the starfish that i know of)
No rock collapses either
any idea
thanks
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestardisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Brittle Star Concern - 5/11/05
Dear Crew: 
<Steve Allen taking echinoderm questions today.> 
I have just purchased a black brittle star. Here are my questions:
1. I have dosed the water with Melafix (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for my recent clown (False Percula) fish additions, Astrea Snails (2), and 1 Common Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). I called the company and asked them if it was safe for the invertebrates. They said yes...were they wrong? 
<I guess it is unclear to me why the Melafix was needed. Probably harmless and probably not all that effective either. I'm not aware of any evidence that it harms echinoderms.>
2. My Starfish has found itself a home among the cracks in the LR; however this morning it was all bunched up not extending its arms looking for food (it looks curled up around itself). Is it dead or sleeping? 
<This is what they do. They curl up and hide during the day. Check out the tank with a flashlight some night and you will see it out and about. You will also notice it withdraw immediately in response to the light. It is not uncommon to put one in your tank seldom see it again.>
4. 
<What happened to #4?> 
My PH will not stabilize. I have a crushed coral substrate, and have been adding Kent Marine dKH/Buffer to help raise the PH. I'm under the assumption that PH fluctuates during the day am I correct? 
<Just a few tenths. Some people operate a refugium lighted at night to help keep this more stable.> 
I'm also adding at every water change Kent Trace Elements, Ammonia Detox, and Stability, and Prime. Any suggestions. 
<Why the Ammonia Detox? Is it to get rid of chloramine from the tap water? That would be the only reason to use it. Stability is not necessary either. It is meant to provide biofiltration. An established tank does not need it. You shouldn't need the trace elements either if you are using a good quality salt. You don't need all of these expensive supplements. I'd suggest you verify your pH readings with your local fish store before worrying too much.>
24 Gal Nanocube (JBJ Lighting Systems)
15 Pounds of Live rock. 
<Probably the biggest reason you are having stability problems is due to the small size of the tank. I'd suggest you do more reading on WWM and in books about nanos.>
Please advise me, I want to take back the brittle star back if I'm not ready for it. Is this Star as dangerous as the green one for my little clowns? 
<They are not as nearly dangerous as the greens, but there are no guarantees. If it's not very big, and they grow normally, you should be OK.>
Thank You as always, Eric Ross 
<My pleasure Eric. If you have further inquiries about the chemistry, please send a new e-mail titled as such so that it does not automatically get routed to me because it's "about echinoderms." There are others on the crew who may have other insights.> 

Link update on Brittlestars
Greetings,
I just browsed through some of the brittlestar FAQS and noticed that the link to my website is a bit off (so it seems it does not work).
Granted I have not updated it in some time, but it is still out there in cyberspace.
http://ophiuroid.home.att.net
or
http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
Many thanks for your invaluable information!
Cheers,
Susan Hottenrott
<Thank you for this update. Bob Fenner>

Green basket starfish
I just purchased a green basket starfish and seems to be doing very well, but it has lost a few tips from it's "legs/arms". What causes this? My water is very good, and it is moving around. I would appreciate any info you have. 
<The basket stars are strictly plankton eaters. They need to be fed daily to survive. They normally extend their arms at night to catch and trap the plankton, so you will have to feed at night. Some research on your part should have been done before purchase to see if the animal's requirements were acceptable to you. I'll post a link here I think you should read. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i4/echinoderms/echinoderms.htm Just scroll down to basket stars. James (Salty Dog)> 

Invertebrates n Stars
Good afternoon... some questions about invertebrates.  Couldn't quickly find the answers on your site.
90 gallon salt tank
3-5" live sand
90 lbs live rock
protein skimmer
I recently bought a sand sifting star to keep my sand sifted.  After reading your articles, I will be exchanging him for a brittle star as I do recognize my tank set-up only provides about 5 sq ft of sand surface.  I have historically had one or two black brittle stars of which all had legs break off and eventually die.  I am guessing that this is likely due to water quality as my tank was at my parent's house with me checking in about once every two weeks.  Anyhow, my tank has been relocated in a newly developed basement.  I am doing religious water changes
<Hee hee, while praying?>
and bi-monthly water quality checks.  I just noticed that my canister filter has not been filtering.  I suspect it ran for a few minutes but had an air bubble.  In short, I may have not had any filtration in my tank for not more than a week.
<Mmm, your live rock... et al. will have been "filtering". Do drain, rinse your canister filter before firing over.>
I am doing a 30% water change today, using water from my quarantine tank which matches the 'healthy specifications' of my main tank.  I did notice a little bit of ammonia and Nitrate.  My Sandsifting star still appears to be fine, but I will be exchanging him for a brittle star in a few days.  I also have a red serpent star that had about 1/3 of one leg fall off.  I'm guessing because of the lack of filtration and water quality?    Are my actions correct in your opinion???
<Maybe and yes>
On another note, I seem to not be able to keep hermits crabs alive.  I've had two shrimp for over two years... never a problem.  I have about 10 hermits that have been around for close to a year, and the rest (smaller ones) seem to just disappear or die.
<Might be being eaten by the shrimp, something else, or...>
  I am curious, is there an appropriate salinity that I should be keeping my tank at to promote a healthier condition for my crabs and seastars?  I have typically been sitting at around 1.0024 (might have an extra zero in there... but you know what I mean, right?) salinity.  As well, I keep my tank at 26oc.  Are these appropriate water conditions?
<Yes... near natural sea water: 1.025 or so... more important that this be steady... as in using pre-made water, being careful to check, top-off for evaporation...>
With my serpent star and new brittle star.  Do these stars have to be fed specifically?  Or will they feed off leftovers?
<Depends on how much there is... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestarfdgfaqs.htm>
I typically change up and use flake food that all my livestock are crazy over and then 5-6 hours later use either frozen brine, krill, or worms.  I typically plunge small frozen cubes/bits or flakes a few inches into the water so that they are picked up in the water flow so that they shoot all over the tank so that everyone gets a fair chance to feed.  Do I just rely on my brittles/serpents to feed off the bottom from leftovers?
<Maybe>
Last question.  I have a starving Algae Blenny, he seems to pick at the live rock without algae.  He is completely ignoring a nice pasture of green hair algae and lots of rock with a burgundy encrusting algae.
<Not palatable to it apparently... the burgundy is likely BGA/Cyano... not tasty>
  I then purchased some dried seaweed that I have been hanging on a feeder by his little borrow.  I also tried tying some seaweed onto a flat piece of liverock with a thin fishing line.  He still chews away at the non-algae covered live rock and spits out the particles of sand, etc.  I knew he was herbivorous, but I figured that  2 yr system and algae covered live rock (90lbs) would be sufficient.  I spent two hours trying to catch the sucker to move to my quarantine tank so that I can better target feed the guy... couldn't catch him as my liverock is pretty porous and I didn't want to totally disrupt my system.  I am expecting his death any day now.  Would a 3" Blenny that is almost all head n tail be much of an ammonia threat?
<No>
I have to leave town for several days and my girlfriend won't go near the fishtank.
<Have another friend/aquarist, or a service company check in...>
One comment that hopefully would benefit other readers should you post this on your website.  Quarantining your fish, not only serves the purpose of identifying health issues such as infections and disease... but also provides a great opportunity to 'spot' feed and observe exclusive feeding habits.  As well, it's a helluva lot easier to remove a starving fish from a quarantine tank than a large established system with lots of rock work.  On the other hand, all of my algae was in my main system... he would've starved in my QT too!   What a frustrating hobby at times.  AYE YIY YI
<Thank you for this>
Thanks for your comments gentlemen.
Dave
<Bob Fenner>

Barred Brittlestars (10/21/04)
Bob, <Steve Allen, covering echinoderms tonight.>
I'm writing you because you seem to have the best website with information on the brittle starfish. <Thanks. Fascinating creatures indeed.>
A couple of days ago I placed a new piece of live rock in my tank which being purchased in Sydney Australia may have come from somewhere near the barrier reef with lots of holes in it for just such creatures to hide. <Yes, a fairly small rock on the reef may hold many of them.> So far I have seen 2-3 Brittle starfish "like" creatures whitish with blackish barring on their legs and around and their legs are up to an inch and a half long. <Either a small species or juveniles of a larger one.> However they appear to have 6 legs not 5 <some do have extras> and three of them appear to be far smaller ...possibly due to re-growth <quite possible--legs eaten off or damaged in harvest>....however I have seen this on at least 2 of them.....what are the chances of 2 being attacked the same way at the same time? <Quite possible that they were damages in the breaking of the rock.>
Can you help me identify them? <Not without pictures. They may not even have a species name, as many do not.> I will endeavour to snapshot them if it helps next time one is out in the light (they seem to stay in the crevices and holes and are only seen moving from one to the other. <That is their nature. You may want to have a look at volume 4 of Fosså & Nielsen's "The Modern Reef Aquarium"--great info and lots of pictures.> And could they be harmful to the fish at all? <Not likely. The big green brittlestar Ophiarachna incrassata is a notorious piscivore, the smaller species are not.> I actually got up this morning to find our Coral Beauty Angel dead on the coral sand.... <Other causes> Thanks a lot, Rodger Wearne <Hope this helps.>

Holy Serpent star, part II
> Hey Jim and/or crew,
> Here is the picture of the thing poking out of my brittle star. I noticed an e-mail from another hobbyist describing what sounds like the same thing.
> Have you heard back from this person: "Wounded green brittle starfish 7/18/03"? I wonder if you could put us in touch to compare notes. My starfish is still alive and looks good but has not eaten any offered food since about a week ago. The "seeds" on his disk swell sometimes, I haven't determined what causes this effect. Please let me know what you
> think. Thanks.
> Lorraine
>>>Hello again Lorraine,
This may be a form of parasite, but if it is it's not something I'm familiar with. Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to view pics that are sent here. I'm not sure if it's a server issue or what. Anyway, if it were me, I'd  try pull the serpent star out, and check to see if these growths can be gently scraped off.
Jim<<<