Sand Sifting Starfish

[rich19020]

Are there any pros or cons to adding a sand sifting starfish?

 

[aleonn]

Unfortunately, sand sifting starfish eventually starve, even in a large, mature, and established sand bed. I recommend against it, especially for your 14 gallon tank (I wouldn't even add it to my 180).

 

[rich19020]

I'm sorry I haven't updated my profile. Just started a 72 gallon bowfront.

 

[Mock]

I have had three for a long time...

 

[SushiGirl]

Unfortunately, sand sifting starfish eventually starve, even in a large, mature, and established sand bed. I recommend against it, especially for your 14 gallon tank (I wouldn't even add it to my 180).

^^ that. Including the parenthetical comment at the end.

I have had three for a long time...

Please define "a long time" when giving advice, it's helpful for people to know how long you've been successful!

 

[Zappo]

If you really want a sand sifting star, wait at least a year. It'll decimate the population of your new tank's sandbed and then need supplemental feeding (meaty foods) but at least it'll have a fighting chance. It's pretty much doomed if it's sitting in that 14 gallon tank, and no new tank can support it.

Think of your new tank like a desert wasteland. There's almost nothing living in the sand yet, and won't be for quite a while. Dropping a forager like a sand sifting star into that would just be mean.

 

[rich19020]

I actually don't want one, but the lfs is recommending that I put 1 in.

 

[Zappo]

I actually don't want one, but the lfs is recommending that I put 1 in.

Then a star is a bad idea. If you want to keep your sand clean in the new tank, wait until it's been running (with fish) for a few months and look into sand sifting gobies. They're a lot more entertaining to watch and easier to keep alive (assuming you can keep them in the tank :rolleye1.

 

[SushiGirl]

I actually don't want one, but the lfs is recommending that I put 1 in.

If that's the case, then always ask here before taking that LFS's advice. They're clearly just trying to make a buck.

 

[mtc1966]

yep even at a year old a star would quickly eat everything in your sand and starve.

 

[Dbroncos]

Don't do it.....

 

[aleonn]

I actually don't want one, but the lfs is recommending that I put 1 in.

To sift the sand, I'd get a combination of a diamond goby, Cerith snails, nassarius snails, and/or a fighting conch (one per 50 gallons). They all have more "personality", will be out in the open more (instead of hiding in the sand bed most of the time), and are hardy in the right environment.

 

[mtc1966]

he has a 14g tank that gobie gets way to big stick with snail

 

[rjcranor]

I have one in my 50 gallon tank its doing fine I wouldn't just go by advise from here Ive gotten bad advice

 

[Bens_Reef]

he has a 14g tank that gobie gets way to big stick with snail

he said in one of the first post that this is for a 72G, he just hasnt updated his sig

 

[SushiGirl]

I have one in my 50 gallon tank its doing fine I wouldn't just go by advise from here Ive gotten bad advice

How long have you had it? Giving a time period to your success is very important when giving good advice.

 

[mtc1966]

he said in one of the first post that this is for a 72G, he just hasnt updated his sig

sorry Ben i missed that. then yes i agree . i had a diamond gobie excellent shifter. made lots of pile for the 1st week then it settled down a bit and was tidier.

 

[rjcranor]

My system is about 6 years old, switched to a sand bed over a year ago. I've had the sifter for a few months so far. But have killed my corals from advice on these sites.

 

[SushiGirl]

Sand sifting starfish take months to starve.

 

[mtc1966]

sorry but a few months is not a long time.