I accidentally broke one of my Brittle starfish's legs!

[Subnautica]

In an attempt to move him using a tweezer, his arm just fell apart like breaking a tree branch. Is the old guy gonna be ok? Right now my blue tang and wrasse are being curious about this piece.

 

[NashobaTek]

Legs will usually grow back

 

[Subnautica]

Legs will usually grow back

Ah ok thanks. Good to hear.

 

[MagicMiller72]

Yes...their legs will grow back for sure! They sometimes will break off a part of their legs if it is injured so that it will grow back properly and not be deformed during the healing process. Also they have some predators that will eat on the legs of star fish, but not usually enough to kill the star fish before it's legs are able to regrow. However if there are too many predators then the star fish could be looking at the dinner table on the wrong side of the plate if you know what I mean.
Your star fish should be just fine, as I don't see any predators in the pics. And you said it was you...lol
Be patient and all is good!!

 

[mdb_talon]

Yup it is defense mechanism in case predator grabs them they just hand over the leg . As others said he should be fine.

 

[ZoWhat]

Paybacks are a ....


.

 

[ca1ore]

As noted, it is a defense mechanism. A healthy brittle or serpent star will grow it back. Lost leg will not grow into a new star unless there is part of the central disc attached. The leg may well continue to twitch for a few days but eventually will rot so best remove it.