Sand sifter falling apart

[Junior3813]

Bought a nice healthy sand sifter last Monday and I noticed tonight that his limbs are shorter and one of them is hanging by a thread. I did notice I have a few small bristle worms. Could this be the cause? The last sand sifter I had about a year ago was in my tank for a couple years and had the same thing happen except this it's only a week in my tank....please help!

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[Junior3813]

I have pictures but unsure how to upload them

 

[willray]

Unlikely its the bristle worms.They need a very mature FINE sand and if there are larger sharp pieces in the sand ...it can harm them.All stars are very sensitive to proper parameters.Have you checked your parameters?

 

[Junior3813]

I'm not in about a month.

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[Junior3813]

Here's the pictures

 

[jayman10134]

thats really not a good substrate for any sand sifting animal. i would just cut the bad arm off and then hope for the best.

 

[Junior3813]

Now that you mention it, that does sound right. Ive been in this hobby for almost 5 years and I am still learning the basics, go figure.

 

[Junior3813]

I am going to be transferring him to my Dad's tank today. He has a real fine sand in his tank.

 

[ffsteve]

I have the same sand and i have 2 sand sifters and 4 dollars in there for years.

 

[stingythingy45]

That looks more like crushed coral to me.

 

[willray]

That looks more like crushed coral to me.

Sure does!.....Each little pc is a razorblade.

 

[gweston]

Yeah sifter looks quite injured... I wouldn't expect sand to cut it that badly however. Maybe a freak accident. Got stuck somewhere or something. Those sifters can have arms erode if they run into nutrition problems. I have one and I have to supplement its diet with sinking pellets. The sand/tank alone isn't enough. My tank is small though (29g). He'll be in far better shape once I move him to the 125gal.