Starfish

[OGReeferTY]

So he’s still moving, but he lost some arms. Is he just reproducing?

 

[blaxsun]

Nope. It will either progress to the center and kill it -or- his arms will grow back.

 

[OGReeferTY]

Do you maybe know what caused it? I only got 2 clowns and a few hermits in my tank.

Nope. It will either progress to the center and kill it -or- his arms will grow back.

 

[Spieg]

I have a 4 armed sand sifter (named Quatro) that's been like that for years. In my case I think I got him with the gravel vacuum when he was buried in the sand... I try to find him now before vacuuming so it doesn't happen again. If a starfish can't get enough to eat or water parameters are not good, they can start to atrophy and eventually die. It's best to add a starfish after a tank has been well established so there is enough for them to eat.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My guess is aggression and yes hermits may be the culprits. Starvation will also cause this as would be high nitrates.
Place hermits in sump for now to give the star a chance to repair itself.

 

[OGReeferTY]

I have a 4 armed sand sifter (named Quatro) that's been like that for years. In my case I think I got him with the gravel vacuum when he was buried in the sand... I try to find him now before vacuuming so it doesn't happen again. If a starfish can't get enough to eat or water parameters are not good, they can start to atrophy and eventually die. It's best to add a starfish after a tank has been well established so there is enough for them to eat.

Yea my tanks only 5 months old. He’s been in here for about 2 months. Been healthy this whole time until I noticed this today. I added a little bit more food this time. I guess he’s not getting enough food. But I only have 3 hermit crabs. So maybe I just need to feed my tank more. I’m nervous about over feeding my clowns.