Scientific name - Astropecten polycanthus Family – Astropectinidae Common name – Sand Sifting Starfish Max Size – 12 in (30 cm) Range: Fiji, Solomon Islands Care Level – Moderate Temperament – Peaceful Foods and feeding – The starfish will search the sand bed for detritus. It will eat what it finds in the sand bed, including worms, shrimp, bivalves, mollusks and other sea stars. It will often require supplemental feedings of marine meaty foods, such as shrimp or scallops. Aquarium suitability – Reef compatibility – Yes Captive care – This starfish is extremely helpful in keeping the sand bed clean, but they usually clean the sand bed so well that they are at risk of starving if they aren’t feed a supplement diet. It should be kept in a tank with a large, deep sand bed. Like all invertebrates it is extremely sensitive to nitrates and copper, and even tiny amounts are lethal to them. If you find your starfish “dissolving” check for stray voltage in the aquariums, they are extremely sensitive to stray voltage. Like all starfish, they should never be exposed to air.
