Clams and Starfish

[starmanres]

I currently have two clams (Squamosa and Crocea).

Last night I was watching the tank after lights off with the moonlights and watched the Sand Sifting Starfish climbing all over the Squamosa clam.

Since I know that some starfish eat clams in the ocean - it this something I should be concerned about?

With all the issues that have been brought up about how bad my Sand-sifter is for my DSB, I have been really close to sending him back to the LFS... Should I be getting the plastic bag ready for the trip?

I also have a Tiger-Striped Brittle Star... Should I worry about him as well?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Robert

 

[thefishman083]

Yeah those star fish shouldnt be a problem because i have serpent star and a sand sifting and my clam is doing great. But what do you mean the sand sifter is bad for DSB what is DSB?

 

[starmanres]

The DSB is Deep Sand Bed. It usually means that you have between 4" and 6" of sand to form a low oxygen area under the sand that allows the bacteria that eat nitrates to form.

Well, from what I read on the board, Sand Sifting Stars eat all the good guys in the sand that we are trying to keep reproducing...

Robert

 

[Julio]

sand sifting star are bad in a reef tank unless is a really large tank, they will deplete your sand bed of life in a short time then they will starve to death and stink up your tank

 

[thefishman083]

How big does my tank need to be

 

[Flipturn88]

How about stars of the echinaster species (orange stars similar to linckias)? Do they prey on clams at times?

Thanks, and sorry to hijack this thread.