starfish

[ReeferRookie]

I recently found a starfish that was reef friendly and helps shift sand a bit. Does anyone know the name of this star fish and provide a pic ? Id really like to buy one i just forget its name and it was cheap for a whopping 15 bucks at my nearest lfs

 

[NanaReefer]

Sand Sifting Star.

 

[ReeferRookie]

There he is !!! Hahaga i cant believe i forgor such an easy name. My heads been so crammed with reefing info. My tanks finally starting to tank off.

 

[evolved]

Unless the tank is very large (huge), they typically deplete the sand bed of fauna and then die. :(

 

[ReeferRookie]

Oooo not. Good. Can he eat anything else ?

 

[clownfitch]

They will die in small new systems. Keep an eye on it. When it starts falling apart make sure you get it out.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Well no fun !! I would just not add him ill wair till i get my 160 in a year or two

 

[MikeAndrews]

I feed mine krill when I see him. Fun to watch him suck it up!

 

[ReeferRookie]

Then it is possible. To feed something else

 

[MikeAndrews]

Definitely will eat any meaty food. I find krill easy to manage. My sand sifter is 4inches and has been with me 3 years. Climbs the glass sometimes which is cool. Only emerges when light power down though

 

[ReeferRookie]

How big tank mines 36 g bow

 

[TruRacr314x]

I've had one in my 80g for over a year now...he seems healthy and does a pretty good job sifting through the sand. Pretty amazing creature to watch and is also the my go to creature to pull out for kids to touch when seeing my tank for the first time.

 

[Tankopolis]

Sand sifting star

I had one in a 24 gallon AIO. He did fine for about a year. Did a great job of keeping my bed fresh looking. I moved him over to a new 120G about 3 months ago and he continues to do a great job in there as well. I think everybody should have one!

 

[ReeferRookie]

I want one. But. My lfs just got in blue stars as well idk which i want !

 

[Sonam]

Wow, saw this thread and am interested in this starfish as part of the clean up crew for an established 90 Gallon system. We have a diamond back goby however-does anyone know if they would get along? The goby doesn't really sift the sand all over, he digs holes under the rocks and periodically redistributes the sand in that process, but he hasn't taken up the job of cleaning the sandbed.
Sorry if this question appears off topic.

Thank you all for the great tips.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Your question is on target i would think they would get along im not sure tho

 

[CoralHut]

They would be fine but the starfish will deplete your natural fauna in the tank significantly. May end of starving the goby if he doesn't eat prepared foods well.

 

[Sonam]

Thanks for the reply. The goby actually eats both brine shrimp and a blended gel food readily. That may actually be why he isn't as interested in sifting the sand. :) Maybe I will try one of these.

 

[bclark1289]

So what would be a good starfish for a new tank? I have a 55 gal.

 

[SamsReef]

i would suggest waiting a little before putting starfish in. it is no fun watching star fish die slowly in a new tank, especially linkia starfish is notorious for that.