Sand Star missing digits
 

I just noticed my sand sifting star is missing 2 full digit and the other is half off, why? My other star is fine (blue lactina)

Could I have pinched them? (was moving rock around recently)
I also have hermit crabs, about 10 or so, could they be the culprate?
I have an emerald crab did he do it?
or is there some unforseen force acting upon the little guy?

I don't think it was any fish (3 damsels, a goby)

Thank you,

Maybe you have a hitchiker crab in your rock somewhere that eats it at night.

george

Sand Stars often drop digits for no obvious reasons. If otherwise healthy it will regrow them.:mrgreen:

sandsifting stars need huge healthy sandbeds to keep them fed and healthy. it is most likely starving to death. there is a good article in the november issue of coral magazine on stars and health.

IMO, your tank is too new and too small for stars. Plus the sand sifting star will eat most of your biodiversity in your sandbed. I would use snails and gobies to sift your sandbed.

Where the legs are missing, does it look like it was torn, or that it is dissintigrating?

I'm going with the group on this one. Your tanks too small. There is a good arcticle on Reef Central and what they require.
I've got one in my 250 with a 6-8 inch sand bed and he does okay but smaller is not a good thing.

Star
 

Well...

I have had my tank going for about 3 months now, 2 inch bed (small sand) I also have a goby and some snails to sift the bed (i didnt think it was getting sifted around enough so i bought the star. It seems healthy, the legs look like they more "fell off" i guess.

40-45 gal tank "tall cube"
60 lbs of live rock

P.s. hes a fairly small one (leg to leg only about 3")

Try target feeding it to keep it alive.

What kind of goby do you have?

Goby
 

Yellow watchman, hes doing really well. even says hi once and a while

I'm still looking for a yellowhead jawfish.

Get a pistol shrimp for him, they might pair up for you.