Red serpent star mutilated on arrival

[Alfredo77]

Hi,

I ordered a red serpent start Ophiderma squamosa and upon arrival it had 3 broken arms with the broken
pieces in the bag(see picture below). The transportation was overnight from a reputed seller who has offered to reimburse me. I am not still sure what could have
happened any ideas? I acclimated the star and put it on my aquarium(25g) where I keep mostly inverts including a fire shrimp, corals
and a high fin goby. Once in the aquarium it took cover under some algae. I have two question is there anything I can do
to help it and any ideas on its likelihood of survival based on similar experiences, I am afraid to have a sudden ammonia spike if it dies. Thanks!

Thank you

 

[blaxsun]

Starfish will sometimes get a bacterial infection in their legs and they'll lose the legs in the process. If it abates, they'll soon grown the legs back. If it spreads to the center of the starfish it's unfortunately toast. There's not a lot you can do (at least in my experience) other than wait and see.