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⭐ Sand Sifting Starfish (
Astropecten polycanthus
)
Size: 4–6 inches
Lifespan: Up to 5 years (if well-fed)
Behavior: Burrows in sand, constantly sifts substrate for food; rarely seen on rock or glass
Diet: Eats detritus, leftover food, and tiny organisms in sand—needs a mature, established tank
Tank Needs: 50+ gallons, deep sand bed (3+ inches) with plenty of microfauna
Water: 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.023–1.026
Compatibility: Peaceful and reef-safe; may deplete sandbed microfauna if the tank is too small or new
Fun Fact: Excellent at keeping sand clean and turned over, but often starves in tanks without enough natural food.
⭐ Sand Sifting Starfish (
Astropecten polycanthus
)
Size: 4–6 inches
Lifespan: Up to 5 years (if well-fed)
Behavior: Burrows in sand, constantly sifts substrate for food; rarely seen on rock or glass
Diet: Eats detritus, leftover food, and tiny organisms in sand—needs a mature, established tank
Tank Needs: 50+ gallons, deep sand bed (3+ inches) with plenty of microfauna
Water: 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.023–1.026
Compatibility: Peaceful and reef-safe; may deplete sandbed microfauna if the tank is too small or new
Fun Fact: Excellent at keeping sand clean and turned over, but often starves in tanks without enough natural food.