grren haired starfish legs missing

Question
I have a green haired star fish. I think a crab (which I have 2 and do not know what they are called, they have two large pincher claws on them) might have cut 2 of my starfish's legs off? Not sure. I woke up and turned the light on and saw the legs in the sand.  Do I need to get rid of the crabs? Will the starfish's legs grow back? One more question. I have 2 small hermit crabs, 2 claw crabs, pencil sea urchin and my starfish.  But sand always looks dirty.  Do I need more bottom feeders? And if so, what do you recommend?

Thank you for your time,
Jackie

Answer
Hi Jackie,

The Bristle Starfish isn't being eaten by the crabs and most likely they haven't cut his legs off.  If they are eating his legs, I suggest the legs have come off for another reason.

High nitrates, nitrites, ammonia or salinity issues cause starfish to pop their legs off in an attempt to survive.  I'd check my tank's parameters.  Crabs clean up debris.  Most of them do not attack starfish.  Especially the type you have, which is considered more of a predator than a victim.

Please check your parameters.  The legs can indeed grow back, but your tank has to have proper parameters first.

I suggest a huge water change and checking your salinity to be sure it's at 1.024.

Happy fish-keeping