StarFish for DSB - Good or Bad

[Dxmarinefish]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I was wondering whether a sand shifting StarFish would be bad for my DSB.

I have a 5 1/2' (14 cm) DSB that is just over 5 months old in my 160 gal main tank. 80 KG Live rock in main tank.
I also have a 70 gal Sump with a 4" Mud DSB (lots of life)
+ a Hang-On fug with 4" Mud DSB (lots of life)
All doing well and now producing lots of life.

Cheato macro algae and Red mangroves in Sump and Fug.

I already have the following creatures in the main tank for the DSB:-

1 Holothuria hilla, Thymiosycia hilla (about 14 cm in length)
20/30 NASSARIUS OBSOLETA SNAILS
10/15 NASSARIUS VIBEX
1 SAND SIFTING STAR
5 RED LEGGED MEXICAN HERMITS
9 TRUE TURBOS


PLAN TO GET:
70 NASSARIUS OBSOLETA SNAILS
40 Cerith snails

I have taken out all my blue legged hermits as they were decimating my snails despite having lots of spare shells of various sizes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[charlesr1958]

Yes they are bad for a live sandbed as the only reason they do any "sifting" of the sand is to find and eat the life that keeps a DSB functional. The same can be said of any creature that actively sifts the sand including fish. A sea cucumber would much better serve your sandbed needs.

Chuck

 

[Dxmarinefish]

Thanks for the reply.
I have made further research and I have made my mind up to take it back.

I really want to have a rich pod producing system and so there is no place for it. I will keep my cucumber for now.