Starfish Amputation

[webdizzy]

I've had a nice yellow tiled starfish for a few months now. It's been doing great in my mixed reef. Yesterday I woke up to find it missing half of one if it's legs. I don't know if it could have gotten stuck and ripped it off itself (doubt it), or if something in my tank got it. I suspect I might have a hitchhiker Mantis shrimp. Could that have done it?

Also, the star seems to be doing ok. Will it survive without the whole leg? Will it grow it back?

 

[JMcAz7]

Well if you have a mantis floating around, that star's problems may not yet be over. Half a leg shouldn't be a problem for most starfish, assuming he don't get abused too much and gets a chance to heal.

 

[webdizzy]

I don't think he gets abused. Will the leg grow back?

 

[Jstdv8]

yes,some people cut off starfish legs and feed them to their halequin shrimp and have a never ending supply of arm/food.