Is this guy ReefSafe?

Salty0331 · Feb 6, 2015

I don't normally keep Stars in my ReefTank, but was thinking of adding 2 to my 150g reef. I run a 4" Sand bed and want some extra sand sifters in the tank.....I know that most Stars will pretty much decimate the Flura in the bed, I don't want to defeat the purpose of the sand bed, but want to keep it healthy and avoid stuff like gas pockets.....

Sand Sifting Sea Star (Astropecten polycanthus)

Salty0331 · Feb 6, 2015

Here is the Info I found from LiveAqueria....

QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78Â° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Solomon Islands
Family: Astropectinidae

The Sand Sifting Sea Star, at first glance, seems to be drably colored like most bottom dwellers. But closer inspection reveals a striking beauty and serenity to the alternating bands of brown and beige that dress this invertebrate's thick, spine-covered arms. Like other starfish, Astropecten polycanthus efficiently consumes mass amounts of detritus and uneaten foods. This nocturnally active member of the Astropectinidae family can move large amounts of sand as it burrows into the substrate in its search for food.
This peaceful omnivore will effectively clean even the largest home aquarium of detritus and left over food. Like other starfish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star will also consume small invertebrates, including shrimp, urchins, mollusks, bivalves, or other small sea stars. As such, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be actively fed a varied diet consisting of natural food sources, especially in well-established marine aquariums. Otherwise, this voracious feeder will quickly clean your aquarium of detritus and then burrow into your substrate, starve, and eventually begin to decay.

To foster its feeding habits, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be kept in aquariums with large, deep sand bottoms of several inches in depth. Since it is slower moving than most fish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should not be housed with natural predators, including Puffers.

Like other invertebrates, the Sand Sifting Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity, and pH and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. To successfully acclimate new specimens to your aquarium, use the drip acclimation method and never expose the Sand Sifting Sea Star to air while handling.

Breeding in the home aquarium is extremely difficult with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate between males and females.

fungia_fiend · Feb 6, 2015

They'll usually decimate your sand life and then slowly starve to death when they're done. Most will not take much in the way of prepared food. If you're running a DSB for the microfauna, I'd skip them.