sand sifting star missing leg

[SeriousDude5]

i have a sand sifting star and i noticed that he is missing 1 and a half legs. does anyone know what wrong with him?

 

[dskidmore]

Could be a number of issues. Is there a large crab or a mantis shrimp that may have injured him?

Stars will heal pretty amazing wounds given good conditions. If you have a refugium, you might consider putting him in there to recover. If a predator took a chunck out of him, he'll need a safe place to recover. He might be better able to avoid the predator when he has all his arms back.

 

[melosu58]

The leg will grow back but excellent water conditions are needed. Some PWC`s are in your future.

 

[austinsdad]

He most likely is a goner IMO. They seem to deplete the sand bed (or there was never unuf to sustain) and begin wasting away, like they're melting. Does the sand stick to his remaining body? If so, that's another sign he's on his way out.

 

[austinsdad]

What ever happened to the star?