Sand Sifting StarfFish, Astropecten Sp.

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 over a period of time.

To help 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 inverts, 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.