sand sifting star

[shyland83]

I have a sand sifting star in my tank for the last year and a half. I know they can destroy the life in the sand bed and have been thinking about getting rid of it for a while. I have a fuge with a deep sand bed and only have 1 inch in the display for looks. We had this convo on here once before, but does anyone think i'm better off getting rid of it? I really like him, but i don't want to keep him if it's going to have negative effects on my new tank.

and is anyone interested in it if i do decide to get rid of it?

 

[Pleco420]

I was under the impression they were good for sandbeds, as they consume a fair amount of ditrius.

 

[DgenR8]

Nope, they sift the sand in search of micro critters to munch on. The good news is, that if you have this star in your main tank with only 1" of sand, he can't do much damage. Of course, the bad news than is that there isn't much for him to eat, and you can expect him to slowly waste away.

 

[shyland83]

yeah i had him in a deep sand bed in my old tank, but i'm afraid in the new tank he might starve. they do keep the sand clean, but a little too clean.

 

[shyland83]

what about trying to place pieces of food under him? if so what kind?

 

[Pleco420]

Maybe I am confusing with a Brittle Starfish????

 

[DgenR8]

Brittle stars (at least the green ones) will eat just about anything meaty, or dead, including the occasional sleeping fish. I have a green that's been no problem, he eats detritus, and has yet to eat any fish that I know of. I also have a red brittle that is very timid. I couldn't imagine him catching a live fish.
Neither of these qualify as a sand sifter though. To the best of my knowledge, true sand sifting stars only eat sand bed "bugs"

 

[fishome25]

you prob are not mixing it up w/ another starfish. there is a bunch of false info on them, especially when someone is trying to sell one

 

[shyland83]

haha, being that i'm considering selling mine, i should be arguing how great they are for your sand bed. any takers?

 

[Spracklcat]

Scott--if you like it, and it doesn't appear he's doing any harm, and he looks good, why sell it? Just drastically overfeed your tank like I do, and there will be plenty of food and critters for everyone .

 

[bobbbm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9866643#post9866643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spracklcat
Scott--if you like it, and it doesn't appear he's doing any harm, and he looks good, why sell it? Just drastically overfeed your tank like I do, and there will be plenty of food and critters for everyone .

LOL great quote