Nromano1212
New member
I was wondering if anyone could help identifying this star fish for me? Is it a beneficial addition to my tank? It's a 400 gallon system with a deep sand bed. 280 gallon display tank. Thank you in advance. Nick
Help identifying a star fish please!
- Thread starter Nromano1212
- Start date
loveaddressbox
New member
It's a sand star fish Astropecten polyacanthus...
loveaddressbox
New member
I forget the other question... Sorry... I'm not very "pro" But I would guess it might want to eat some things... A quick search online didn't say much, some places mentioned it would eat clams. I guess it depends on how much you like it compared to what can cause.
Like... If I love certain species... Even if it would mean I shouldn't have another species... I wouldn't add the other and just be happy with the one I want.
Just give it a hard research before adding anything that might not be compatible with it... If the ID is correct... (I hope so) Browsing for more information on certain species you want to add to your tank might be easier!
If I can be of help! I'm always up to do some research!
Good luck!
Like... If I love certain species... Even if it would mean I shouldn't have another species... I wouldn't add the other and just be happy with the one I want.
Just give it a hard research before adding anything that might not be compatible with it... If the ID is correct... (I hope so) Browsing for more information on certain species you want to add to your tank might be easier!
If I can be of help! I'm always up to do some research!
Good luck!
Nromano1212
New member
Ok thank you guys. It's been in the tank for almost 3 months now and honesty when I took that pic last night it's only the 2nd time I've seen him in that time frame. The only reason it I asked was because I saw a YouTube video on how they eat living things in the tank that help to clean the sandbed. I just purchased some more snails and I'm going to get some more crabs next time I'm at the lfs. My tank has been running for around 7 months now and it seems to be doing great but my sand started to look a little dirty and wanted to bump up my clean up crew to maybe resolve the issue. I've also cut back on the feeding and I still need to purchase a GFO reactor. Overall the tank is looking great though but I'd like to keep it that way. Thanks again for the help. Next time I head to the sandbar on. The boat I'll take him with me and set him free.
loveaddressbox
New member
Wait... What... Do you mean you didn't bought it?
Are you sure it will be safe where you are going to set it free?
Isn't it illegal to drop fauna or flora on open spaces?
I'm concern of the over all health or the animal/ecosystem!
Maybe someone on the forums can give the starfish a house and take good care of it...
I see in your very post on RC you mention being here in South Florida. You can not legally release anything from your tank into the local waters. Legality aside, it is just a plain bad idea to be introducing foreign species into local waters...can possibly introduce foreign disease issues, introduced species that can become invasive, etc. Just don't do it. Find it a new home with another hobbyist instead.
Nromano1212
New member
I actually got him from the sand bar a few months ago. My girl friends friend has an 11 yr old and he finds me little hermit crabs and stuff. He came up with this one day so I'd just be putting him back. Also I hadn't idea about taking things to and from the ocean. I'll have to look into these things. I'm not trying to get into trouble.
loveaddressbox
New member
Well... I'm no expert on law or environment...
But also bear in mind the dangers of parasites and bacteria you are getting in your home!
Wild animals not check up in any way I guess...
I really don't blame you in any way... My friends bring me the weirdest things (plants) and they don't understand it is wrong for a thousand reasons, also the work it means to clean everything to prevent infections, virus, bacteria, plagues... Besides it is not legal.
Now I also don't know if animals will be safe being bring back to the wild.
I may be wrong on this, but I would vote to look for someone that can properly care for it.
And hermit crabs... Well, they can be destructive in a tank... I would check the species even before sending them to other people lol You have add them to your tank?
Once put in a tank with critters from other places, it can no longer be returned to the local waters. Possibility of transferring some pesky microbe. Also, even if everything in the tank is locally collected, after 30 days in the tank you are not allowed to return it to the sea.
