sand sifting star

[shyland83]

Have they been known to reproduce in an aquarium? i have one in my display, and i found what appears to be a sand sifting star in my sump this morning. Its about a quarter of an inch across so it's hard to tell what it is. Just curious if it reproduced or if its just a hitchhiker.

 

[eboonaman]

can you post a picture. there are only a few stars that are reef safe, like the linkia and Asterina (but there is some contraversory on this) http://www.garf.org/STAR/starfish.html

FWTW......
"Sand sifting starfish are voracious eaters of nutrients in the sandbed- whether those nutrients be live, or detritus. So in a tank where sandbed infauna are depended on for the system, the sand-sifting star will be a poor choice that will eradicate such sandbed critters.

On the other hand, if you have a shallow or "dead" sand bed, the sand-sifting starfish becomes an asset to your tank, as its voracious appetite is put to good use cleaning up unresolved detritus."

 

[shyland83]

hmmm. I do have a dsb, so i guess he technically shouldnt be there, so now i have a whole new problem. I tried getting a pic of the little guy that showed up in the sump with little success, it's all washed out and fuzzy. Hes in the sump so he cant do much harm down there, i'll see what happens.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=572
this is what i have in the display. And this is actually where i bought it. He keeps the sand really clean and it's really fun to watch him bury himself in the sand. If i get rid of the star everyone is gonna get made at me, hes everyones favorite. So....... If anyone is interested in a sand sifting star, maybe i'll trade him away and go get a blue Linckia instead. I dont know, opinions are much appreciated

 

[Long Island Andy]

You probably have Asternia, I have thousands in my dsb. Check the link that Chuck (eboonaman) listed above. I have never had a problenm with them. You will find them eating any coral that is dying. I would leave them alone
They are different than the Sand Sifter star. That is a whole nother debate. I have kept them in the past and they usually end up starving. I say leave em both alone and enjoy the tank