Starfish

[bpoore89]

I want to get a sand sifting starfish for my tank. I have crushed coral. Will this work? What are your opinions on chocolate chip starfish? Are they good scavangers?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

they are not reef safe just so you know.

 

[Entropy]

I agree, definately not reef safe. They are excellent scavengers, but unfortunately not very selective about what they eat (including corals). They get pretty big too. You might be ok if the tank is fish only though, as long as you don't have shrimp.

 

[fatdaddy]

I think you'll have problems with a sand sifter and crushed coral. They are common in my area, but the sand is very fine.

I have a chocolate chip. They are carnivores and scanvengers. They are okay when young as they eat mostly algae, but they will develop a more mature appetite. I feed mine weekly, and I moved it to a more aggressive environment.

 

[Silverfin]

What? My father has two Sand Sifter's in his 210gal tank and one in his 24gal nano; they are a great benefeit to the tanks as they deeply clean the sandbed. I think fatdaddy is right though.....i don't think a Starfish will thrive in crushed coral. Here's one link that tells about their behavior and reef compatibility. I've actually been doing research all day on many sites, and this one says the same thing as many others...I like to make sure i get many opinions and facts.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=572

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I am my Father's Daughter.....reef wise......

 

[Grins]

They were saying the chocolate chips weren't reef safe, not the sand sifters.

 

[szwab]

definately a no on schoc chip stars in a reef. unless of course you like them better than corals YOu sould also have a mature decent sized tank for long term success IMO.

 

[Salamander]

Don't get either one. SS Stars will most likely die. They eat the micro fauna in the sand bed and once they've devoured it all they'll slowly fall to pieces as they die. They can't be spot fed so its hard to keep 'em alive.

It usually takes about a year and then they die. I don't think I've ever heard from a person who's kept one alive more than 12-18 months.

 

[Salamander]

Don't get either one. SS Stars will most likely die. They eat the micro fauna in the sand bed and once they've devoured it all they'll slowly fall to pieces as they die. They can't be spot fed so its hard to keep 'em alive.

It usually takes about a year and then they die. I don't think I've ever heard from a person who's kept one alive more than 12-18 months.

And don't look to retailers for info. You won't get what you need to know.

 

[Silverfin]

That was just one of the sites that I researched on. But they basically said what the other sites said, that Sand Sifting Starfish are safe for a reef and that they actually benefeit that tank. Chocolate Chip Stars are actually not that good for a reef tank; they eat anything. My father only has one in his sump because the Choc Stars eat the detritus and his even skims the top. I've also based my information on two marine boilogists lectures and facts. The two boilogists that i know own the LFS that we always go to. They said what im repeating; that the choc star is good for the sump and the sand-sifter is good for the reef tank sand bed.

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I am my Father's Daughter.....reef wise......

 

[Bluey101]

I agree with everyone else...CC not good for a reef tank....I also had a tough time keeping them alive.....If you are looking for a sand sifter.....I just bought a Diamond Goby yesterday for my sand bed and he is very entertaining and a very hard worker....IMHO

 

[Silverfin]

Ours does a great job. She is constantly keeping the sand stirred and has a new burrow at least twice a week. She has like, seasonal burrows!

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I am my Father's Daughter.....reef wise......