What is happening to my starfish

[Rhinohorn420]

I left in the morning to work and my sand sifting starfish was doing what it normally does. I get out of work 10 hours later and the middle buddy is gone. Only the five legs remain on the floor.

 

[Roy 9121]

What other tank mates?

 

[Jisko]

0_0 dang... looks like someone got the munchies 0_0

 

[Roy 9121]

0_0 dang... looks like someone got the munchies 0_0

What about shrimp or crabs?

 

[ahiggins]

the most obvious would be a harlequin shrimp.
Im not familiar with sand sifting ones but I have a brittle starfish and he loves to eat excess meaty foods that the fish leave for him. Could he have starved? then an opportunistic feeder may have disassembled him.

 

[lauderdalestunner]

Not sure, haven't had good luck with the sand sifting stars either. From the photo it looks like you have corse gravel that might not mix well with that type of starfish. But others know better than I do. I've kept a blue linka for few years and a brittle from the beginning of time, just never get to see the brittle star but the tips of his legs.

 

[Rhinohorn420]

What other tank mates?

Engineer goby and peppermint shrimp

 

[Rhinohorn420]

Not sure, haven't had good luck with the sand sifting stars either. From the photo it looks like you have corse gravel that might not mix well with that type of starfish. But others know better than I do. I've kept a blue linka for few years and a brittle from the beginning of time, just never get to see the brittle star but the tips of his legs.

The lfs I got it from used the same sand. Fiji pink and the starfish was always going in the sand and coming out. This guy has been in my tank since like November.

 

[lauderdalestunner]

Well the engineer goby might be the culprit but hunger might have taken its toll also. In my experience when starfish go they go quickly. Engineer goby's don't like things in the way of their burrow, could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your shrimp might have finished him off if he was weak or injured.

 

[Bosko777]

Any trace of copper?

 

[Roy 9121]

Engineer goby and peppermint shrimp

The pep could be the culprit.

 

[Maritimer]

How big is the tank?

I know these guys digest any organics they find in the first couple of cm of sand, and I know they can go downhill fast if they're not getting enough ... though I really have no idea whether there's a minimum tank size for them.

~Bruce