SS starfish i NEED HELP maybe mantis shrimp

[gil5280]

ok i have a sand sifting star and it has been doing fine till now, it has some how gotten his arms to stubs... like they are still there but really small... everything else is doing fine even my new erchin. idk what it can be thats taking them off, maybe a mantis shrimp? i hear clicking in the tank like crazy when i turn the lights on and throw the day what can i do

 

[spanko]

Certainly need to find the source of the clicking. At night get a flashlight with a red filter, or a pc. of red cloth over it. Watch the tank without the flashlight on in the dark for a while looking for the source of the clicking and or any movement. When something strikes your fancy, turn the flashlight on it to see what it is.

 

[ophiura]

What are your water parameters and how long did you have the star?
These stars die of starvation in 12-18 months and disintegrate - losing their arms. This is VERY characteristic and unlikely to be predation.
If it is less than a month that you've had the star, it may be acclimation shock. Your parameters are critical.