Unusual sand sifting star behavior

[Ooulophilia]

I always find my sand sifting stars on top of each other (sorry, you may have to look closely, there are three pairs pictured):

I assume this is some sort of breeding behavior - they are on top of each other more than they are not. Any insights?

 

[petoonia]

Sounds like you have some naughty starfish!:lmao:

 

[charlesr1958]

I dont if its breeding or not, but I see the same thing with them at certain times of the year within the sandy grassbeds and always assumed them to be breeding.

http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid/html/main.html

Chuck

 

[greenbean36191]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1012693

 

[Ooulophilia]

Thanks for the links, maybe I will see baby starfish - they are in a very productive 7000 g system, I have baby margarita and turbo snails everywhere. I will be scouring the fuges tommorow.