If I want two starfish can I just cut my current one in half?

C

Corn-Picker

AC Members
Dec 30, 2003
60
0
0
46
Visit site
I don't plan to ;) Just wondering that if I cut my brittle green starfish in half if I'd get two starfish? One is enough for me, he's already killed a few blue legged hermits.
 
Supposively if you cut the star right down the middle of the round body and you have ABSOLUTLY PRISTINE water conditions they will regrow into two different stars but I wouldn't trust it. I would just buy another star. It is said that if a stars leg falls off and still has some of the central disc it too can form a new star but have never heard first hand accounts so don't know. They split much in the same way as Anemones and the like do. Anyway, hope this helps.
 
Well I watched my black brittle star get devoured by bristleworms once. Then almost a year later to my surprise I spotted him alive and healthy. I really do not know how he could have survived. But I think if you cut a starfish in half that would leave them quite vulnerable to predators.
 
I wouldn't risk it. It would be just a likely to rot as to grow into two stars. I know that they have remarkable regenerative ablilities but, if it gets infected it will die. There also isn't much that you can do to keep it from getting infected. I'd just buy another star. The brittles are far less likely to regenerate a new body than the other stars. They are great at growing new arms but, it would put them under a lot of stress.
Hope this helps
Chris
 
Is this post for real? Would the people on this board really condone cutting a living creature in half just to get two for the price of one? I am horrified.
 
How could anyone think of doing something that cruel to a living creature? The pain inflicted on the Starfish from doing that is unconscionable. I suppose pulling the legs off of spiders is okay with you too? This thread is disturbing.
 
Originally posted by Smiley
How could anyone think of doing something that cruel to a living creature? The pain inflicted on the Starfish from doing that is unconscionable. I suppose pulling the legs off of spiders is okay with you too? This thread is disturbing.
Click to expand...

People, read my post before flaming. I clearly state that "I don't plan to", and "One is enough for me, he's already killed a few blue legged hermits." I was just curious if biologically speaking brittle greens had this ability, nothing more.
 
Well, I am glad you are not planning to. I just can't imagine even thinking of doing something like that to a living creature.
 
I did read your post carefully before I replied. I am upset that #1 you even thought about doing something like this and #2 that you posted your disturbed thoughts on this forum.
 
This is not that unusual a question. Many stars naturally reproduce by dropping an arm. Since this is the newbie forum--we get a lot of odd questions. I assure everyone, this is not out of line, and no correction nor beration is needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom