Is it possible to keep sunflower starfish (Pycnopodia)?

[gnasher]

This might sound crazy, but I'd be willing to dedicate a 125/180 g tank to an animal like this. Does anyone know if that would be big enough?

Aside from that, I know that they live in cooler waters, but can be found as far south as Southern California. People keep Garibaldi's from similar waters without chillers, do you think I could get away with keeping one in an unchilled system? Any info on a reasonable temperature range for keeping these guys would be appreciated.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Not to sound like a smart azz but have you tried searching Google? I did and found more links than I care to read on them. But they get to 3 feet in diameter and live in colder temps than that of our regular reefs as you already know. A 180 is in no where near the size needed to keep one. Plus you would have to feed it, their favorite foods are urchins and abalone. Even in San Diego the ocean temps rarely get above 65 and that's surface temp. So unless you have a low temperature yes with chiller swimming pool that you can dedicate to this species with lots of food there is no way you can keep one. Oh and they only live 3-5 years. They are in the top 2-3 of the largest starfish anywhere and they are one of the if not the fastest moving as well. Cool creature for sure. I do thank you for getting me to Google it and find out some info on this cool starfish.

Here are a few links

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pycnopodia_helianthoides/

http://www.seastarsofthepacificnorthwest.info/species/sunflower_star.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower_seastar

 

[jraker]

After a quick search on Google, the answer is pretty much no unless you want a 750+ gallon system about 50-60 degrees. These things are cool, but they do reach 3 feet long and are carnivores.

 

[Calappidae]

After just doing a memory check, the answer is yeah good luck with that.

They're not diet specific but they are predatory starfish, I mean this star's main diet is sleeping fish. Chances of finding one and keeping it long term is very unlikely.