Starfish falling apart

Question
Hello. Yesterday my large anemone died suddenly and almost took out my whole tank in its aftermath. I was able to save everything except a cinnamon clown. Everything seemed to be doing better but today my crimson knob and sand sifting stars seem to be falling apart. The crimson is losing its skin on the tips of two legs and bits of tissue. The sand sifter has an entire leg coming apart and is very sluggish. All my water levels are normal except my pH is a little low. Can you help me?

Answer
Hello Megan. I am sorry to hear of your loss. When a large anemone dies in an aquarium they produce tons of waste. Being that starfish are very sensitive to waste build up in the tank they often suffer bacterial infections leading to open wounds. Usually they cannot be saved once this process begins. However, I belive it is possible, if caught early enough and the water quality kept in check, that it may heal. You say all your water levels are normal now but what were they when you discovered the anemone? If the central disc is included in this deterioration than more than likely it will not survive. Keep a close eye on them and get them out immediately if they end up dying because they will further pollute the tank. What was your ammonia and nitrate/nitrite levels ? Did you do a very large partial water change? What do you think did in your anemone? Is it a newer tank?