Sand sifting star

[Thomasflynn15]

I've had a sand-sifting star for over a year and I've had nassarius snails go missing left and right. Since they are both sand-residing creatures do you think there is an issue with the star outcompeting and possibly attacking the snails?

From my understanding, SSS can do more harm than good to your sandbed.

*75 gallon

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Since they are both sand-residing creatures do you think there is an issue with the star outcompeting and possibly attacking the snails?

Possibly. Do you have a picture of your sand sifting starfish?

There are two genera commonly called sand sifting starfish that we sometimes get in the hobby: Astropecten (confirmedly predatory) and Archaster (supposedly but definitely not confirmedly detritivorous). The predatory species typically go for gastropods (typically small, carnivorous snails) and bivalves (like clams, mussels, oysters, etc.).