Melting Red Sea Star?

[CodyRVA]

So, I've had this sea star now for about 3-4 weeks. It cruised around the tank no problem at all. Within the last week it's been hanging near the water surface and started to get sores on its body. They started at the very edge of its legs and have started moving up the leg to the mouth. I'll take some pics of my own, but the ones below are very similar to what i'm experiencing. My question is what to do, and if nothing can be done, at what point should I remove this guy if he doesn't recover.

My parameters are on point, i've got a doser hooked up with several thriving acros, ATO, etc. I do not suspect water chemistry is the issue except for the initial salinity change from LFS to my system. PH holds steady, i run my refugium light 12 hours at night time. The system is low nutrient, but the glass gets plenty dirty every day, so I can't imagine its starving either.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+578&pcatid=578

http://fishlore-fishlorecom.netdna-ssl.com/fishforum/images/imported/2013/06/243.jpg

 

[dbl]

On two occasions, I've tried a red Linckia because my wife wanted the red star fish. In both cases they did fantastic (or at least I thought) for about 6-8 months. Then in both cases they just started to melt away.

I've concluded from my research most "decorative stars" simply don't get enough to eat in a typical aquarium environment.

My two pennies worth anyway.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Linka are different btw as they eat mostly sponges. In a big eastablishe tank they do fine. Sometimes.
If it's a new and really clean tank your going to have trouble with a detritus eater or algae eater esp if you have anothe clean up crew competing for food. Esp a big animal like a star. Not sure what type it is rather it's actual diet specifically. It may not dine on thin glass algae it may need more or a specific diet like a linka.

Find the scientific name and research university sites. It may help find its food.
Or a friend with a big dirty tank.

Bummer about the hobby animals are sold that may have zero chance of survival.

Most flame scallops and filter feeders don't last long because of this.
I have a six in mussle now four years old.
A filter sock would kill my system honestly.

 

[CodyRVA]

Thanks guys, it's still moving around. I'm going to try and target feed it. I tried once before, but it didn't really respond. The good news from what I can tell is there seems to be no damage to the mouth/central body, it's all at the ends of the legs so there's some hope. To my knowledge it's not a linckia, at least it wasn't sold as one, but it could very easily be having similar issues that linckias are prone to.