what is eating my starfish

[tbmoore]

I have several blue sand sifting starfish which are having their legs eaten off. They start to grow back and then they are eaten again. I had some small stone crabs which I thougtht were doing it. I have set traps and gone so far to remove everything twice and looked with flashlight to try and make sure all are gone. ( who knows but have not seen any for a week or so. been up at night with flashlight ect and can find none.) I have added two emerald crabs. Are they now eating my starfish or do I need to look elsewhere?

 

[tbmoore]

My home page has a list in the spec section of everything I know that is in the tank. thanks again. terry

 

[toddius]

I lost 2 starfish the same way. My pepermint shrimp were seen eating them along with my crabs but I do not think they are the culprits. I think lack of food or water conditions will cause this and either your shrimp or crabs are just doing their jobs by cleaning up. My starfish also sarted to regenerate arms also but could never fully recover. Hope you find the real cause but I doubt your crabs are the cause.

 

[nosmada]

i hav read that starfish dont handle changes in salinity well. if you have changed your SG recently this may be the problem. parasites will form and eat them from the inside out. this happened to one of my chocolate chip's after i lowered my SG.
hth,
chris