Starfish picked on

[dusty619]

Anyone have any idea what would be picking on my starfish? It is missing the tips of a couple arms. Bristleworm maybe? My other star is fine.

[CMD2213]

My red sea star may have gotten close to the pistol shrimp and lost a portion of his arm but is still mobile

[Kris]

Harlequin Shrimp?

What other animals are you keeping in the tank with it?

[CMD2213]

No a tiger pi st ol shrimp but my sand sifting stars are fine no issues at all

[dusty619]

Probably bristle worms crabs emerald crab six line wrasse angels tangs clowns blenny lots of corals

[dusty619]

Peppermint shrimp and cleaner shrimp

[rudy]

What kind of star is it?

[Kris]

I had a crab that picked on corals / Polyps, and I have lost fish when rocks moved (earthquake!) and crushed the fish. Without witnessing the injury incident one can only guess.

Is the damage on the entire animal or specific areas on the star? Do you use Scripps? There are disease organisms that cause outbreaks in our local starfish & fish. I think that would look more like a white film disease on the entire animal before any limbs started falling off. It would also expect the starfish to "melt" if the diseased animal cannot fight off the infection, (Rickettsia?) and not just lose a limb.

[FDdragon]

I had a red star that lost two arms shortly after adding it. I think the only thing in my tank that could have done it is my purple tang. That little dude is a bully. ha ha.

[dusty619]

I don't use scripps. I do have an ******* purple tang. It is your standard brown star. The tips of two of his arms are gone. Maybe an eighth of an inch.

[Kris]

How much for the suspect-Purple Tang! Willing to pick-up on a PIF deal!

[dusty619]

It's getting worse what could be eating him?


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[CMD2213]

Put it in.your sump for a little

[dusty619]

I'm thinking emerald crab or bristle worms.
Kind of think he will get sucked up into a pump in the sump

[dusty619]

Poor guy probay doesn't have much time left. Strange that I have a much bigger one that hasn't been affected.