Pincusion Urchin Problems?

[AquaFresh]

Hey, I am new to the hobby and just started my 90 gallon about 6 months ago. I am pleased to say that I have had no big problems with the tank and I am extremly happy how it is!

I have just bought a purple and white pincusion urchin and I am not sure if it is responsible for the condintion of my banded serpent starfish. I found the starfish with all of it legs eaten? Somehow it is still alive and moving on its nubs which me made feel terrible for the poor guy. Could a pincusion urchin do this? Sorry for the poor quality.

20180517_110059(0)

• AquaFresh
• May 17, 2018

20180517_111028

• AquaFresh
• May 17, 2018

Is this a picture of the urchin caught in the act?

20180516_100501

• AquaFresh
• May 17, 2018

 

[little_sardines]

It's hard to tell from your pics but it sounds like your serpent star probably just started to die - when they die they sort of melt away/fall apart. I doubt your urchin had anything to do with it.
Its possible your tank doesn't have enough food for your clean up crew yet being new and all?

 

[AquaFresh]

Yes its possible, but I haven't had any other snails, shrimp or emerald crabs die. I saw my other starfish in good health aswell.
Could it still survive? It's still moving

 

[little_sardines]

Hmm, it looks pretty far gone in your picture - I've seen them make it if they loose one or two legs, but if they lose all or most of them I'd say the chances aren't good. How long have you had the star?

 

[AquaFresh]

I have had it for about three and a half months

 

[little_sardines]

What's your water params like?

 

[Tahoe61]

Tank is likely not old enough to sustain a sand sifting star fish judging by the image. An urchin may eat left overs but it's usually the starfish that eats the urchin, not that particular starfish, point is I doubt an urchin could inflict that type of repeated injury. Sand sifters tend to fall apart from starvation or decline in water quality or chemistry.

 

[AquaFresh]

Well I know about the sand shifting starfish. It was not planned and came in on a live aqauria order instead of the serpent starfish. But the sand shifting starfish has been fine and was one of the first inhabitants. My concern is not the sandshifting starfish as its healthy. My concern is why my serpent starfish has all except one of its legs missing.

 

[Tahoe61]

Well I know about the sand shifting starfish. It was not planned and came in on a live aqauria order instead of the serpent starfish. But the sand shifting starfish has been fine and was one of the first inhabitants. My concern is not the sandshifting starfish as its healthy. My concern is why my serpent starfish has all except one of its legs missing.

Got to love my reading comprehension lol.

Are you feeding the Serpent?

Serpents have amazing regenerative powers, I have seen post of a limb moving around for weeks or more. As long as there is a central disk there is always hope. I imagine either lack of food or water quality and not the urchin is responsible. How big is the Emerald?

 

[AquaFresh]

I have two emeralds, both under an inch