sand sifting starfish

My sand sifting starfish didn't last more than 5 or 6 months in my 90 gal aquarium and from what I've read this is not all that uncommon as there just isn't enough food for them. I'll never get another but, unfortunately, I learned this lesson the hard way and "Patrick" paid the price for that knowledge.

I would suggest trying to bring it back to the pet store but chances are it will just end up dying no matter where it ends up, so enjoy it while you have it but definitely make sure you take it out before it rots in your tank.

 

Besides starving due to insufficient substrate in most tanx, SS stars will actually deplete your substrate of all of the beneficial fauna that is normally found in a healthy sandbed.

This is actually true of any sand-sifting critter, including sleeper gobies, etc.

 

Percy has been in there about a year and is huge now, he must be 3 inches across the legs, he is very active and comes out almost every day, I beleive my condyl stings him from time to time, he doesn't seem to mind much ?

 

+5 on above!

I had one when i first started out. I came home one day and the star was standing on all five points of his legs arched up like a bridge. He was starving and was going fishing for my fish.

I would take him back. There are so many other things you can use to keep your sand clean........nassarius snails are a much better, safer alternative to these stars. Plus it is like the night of the living dead when you feed.........all of the sudden they crawl out sand in hunt of food and look like zombies!;D

 

I would cut up abit of clam meat or something similar and put it under his body. I have heard this a good way of supplementary feeding stars. You should do this regularly.

 

i have 2 and they are both fat and happy... had them about a year and half maybe 2 years.. they just cruise around doing their thing.

 

IMO sand sifters need a deep sand bed. I have one in a bed that is 3-4 inches deep. Hope that helps.