Sand Sifting Starfish
Astropecten polyacanthus
(75 Reviews)
Sand Sifting Starfish
Astropecten polyacanthus
(75 Reviews)
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Sand Sifting Starfish Care Facts
| Care Level: | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Reef Safe: | Yes |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 Gallons |
| Max Size: | 6 inches |
Sand Sifting Starfish
The Sand Sifting Starfish (Astropecten polyacanthus), also known as the Comb Starfish, White Starfish, and Sand Starfish, hails from the sandy seabeds of the Indo-Pacific and is celebrated for its remarkable sand-cleaning abilities in home aquariums. With a beige/brown body blending seamlessly into the sand, it ensures a pristine substrate while being reef safe and compatible with a variety of tank mates, excluding puffers. Typically reaching sizes of 4 to 6 inches in diameter and boasting a lifespan of several years under proper care, this delicate species requires a tank with plenty of sand, stable salinity, and should never be exposed to open air. Saltwaterfish.com offers ethically sourced specimens, ensuring a premium addition to your marine environment, where the Sand Sifting Starfish becomes an essential component of maintaining ecosystem harmony and showcasing the ocean's marvels.
Habitat and Natural Behavior:
Indigenous to the Indo Pacific region, the Sand Sifting Starfish diligently cleans detritus, sand, and debris from aquarium substrates. Through its intriguing sand sifting process, this species not only promotes cleanliness, but also improves the overall well-being and aesthetic appeal of your aquatic environment.
Reef Safe and Ecosystem Harmony:
The Sand Sifting Starfish is widely recognized for its reef-friendly nature, which makes it a perfect selection for coral admirers. By ensuring a pristine and salubrious substrate, you can enhance the harmony and health of your aquatic environment as a whole.
Size and Lifespan:
The Sand Sifting Starfish has a modest size that ranges from 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter. Under proper care, these starfish can thrive for several years, adding a touch of elegance to your marine sanctuary.
Diet and Behavior:
The Sand Sifting Starfish is a dedicated sand sifter, feeding on detritus, uneaten food, and organic matter within the substrate. Its methodical sifting contributes to the cleanliness and health of your aquarium's sand bed.
Compatibility and Temperament:
Sand Sifting Starfish are renowned for their peaceful nature, making them a perfect and unobtrusive addition to any marine environment. With their dedicated cleaning behavior, they can effectively improve the hygiene and cleanliness of your aquarium.
Tank Requirements and Water Conditions:
Providing a well-established sandy substrate is crucial for the natural sifting of the starfish. It is essential to maintain stable water parameters, moderate lighting, and appropriate filtration methods to ensure the starfish's overall health and wellbeing.
Compatible Tank Mates:
- Yellow Tang Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris spp.),
- Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni):
- Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
- Coral Species
Big, healthy, but of course disappeared into the sand and haven’t seen him since.
Reviewed by: Craig Lewis on May 5, 2025
Reviewed by: Kassidy Smith on May 4, 2025
Doing very well. See it burying and coming out.
Reviewed by: Kenneth Goldsmith on April 2, 2025
Doing good
Reviewed by: Tennia Roberts on March 23, 2025
Reviewed by: Amanda Strate on Feb. 9, 2025
Reviewed by: Ricky Lamaster on Feb. 5, 2025
Reviewed by: Michael Clark on Feb. 4, 2025
One second it's climbing the walls the next it's buried in the sand. And it really cleans up the tank
Reviewed by: Steven Gibson on Feb. 3, 2025
Great and hard little workers
Reviewed by: Debbie Cook on Feb. 2, 2025
These are good
Reviewed by: Connie Perkins on Jan. 22, 2025
A little bigger than I wanted or needed but that’s okay. Kinda hard to find them tiny. It’s doing great a week later cleaning up my dirty sand bed.
Reviewed by: Leonard Pahlman on Jan. 21, 2025
Reviewed by: Todd Case on Jan. 20, 2025
Reviewed by: Javier Gonzalez on Jan. 1, 2025
Doing well, great deal
Reviewed by: Shaun Huddleston on Dec. 8, 2024
Reviewed by: Scott Olson on Nov. 4, 2024
Reviewed by: Derek Luidhardt on Oct. 30, 2024
Reviewed by: Mike Perdue on Oct. 28, 2024
Reviewed by: Javier Gonzalez on Oct. 28, 2024
Reviewed by: Scott Olson on Oct. 14, 2024
Spot on
Reviewed by: Scott Olson on Sept. 29, 2024
Reviewed by: Jessica Longan on Sept. 29, 2024
Reviewed by: Pepper Brandon on Sept. 24, 2024
Reviewed by: Charles Hodges on Sept. 22, 2024
Reviewed by: Denise Kloepping on Sept. 17, 2024
Reviewed by: Rachel Harrison on Sept. 15, 2024
Nice starfish. Adjusted well, it is loving life in the sand in my main tank.
Reviewed by: Charles Nejedly on Sept. 11, 2024
Reviewed by: Pastor Reyes on Sept. 9, 2024
Great would but again.
Reviewed by: Joseph Hinkley on Sept. 9, 2024
Reviewed by: Chris Reiter on Aug. 17, 2024
Good lucking specimen
Reviewed by: Andrew Hayes on Aug. 4, 2024
Excellent specimen!
Reviewed by: Robert Denton on July 26, 2024
Very healthy
Reviewed by: Mike Perdue on July 24, 2024
Had one that lived a long life but finally came to its end. I immediately replaced him with another and love how they do the same exact thing and move constantly eating and then burrow in the deep sand to rest. A must for all saltwater aquariums.
Reviewed by: Dale Pichelmayer on July 22, 2024
Excellent. healthy star fish
Reviewed by: David Schneider on July 3, 2024
Reviewed by: Darren Letner on July 2, 2024
Excellent customer service last minute change from a camelback shrimp which I realized after order may be expensive snack for my dottyback so changed to sandsifting star emails answered super fast.
Reviewed by: Timothy C Mezick on June 26, 2024
He is doing great
Reviewed by: Margaret Fansler on June 3, 2024
Reviewed by: Melissa Landers on June 3, 2024
Reviewed by: Craig Hutton on May 19, 2024
This one I was worried about knowing they can be picky about tanks but it’s been all around mine . Very healthy
Reviewed by: Eric Brugman on May 8, 2024
Didn’t see him for the first day he immediately buried himself in the sand but now I see him once or twice a day as he moves around the tank
Reviewed by: James Mauro on April 14, 2024
Went to work right away in the sand bed!!
Reviewed by: Sheila on April 10, 2024
Reviewed by: Gene Kleinschmit on April 3, 2024
GREAT PEOPLE
Reviewed by: Nicholas Calabria on April 1, 2024
Reviewed by: Owen Neal on March 18, 2024
Reviewed by: Joseph Valvano on March 12, 2024
Reviewed by: David Schneider on March 12, 2024
Reviewed by: David Schneider on Feb. 19, 2024
Had to get one for each tank. With the massive sale saltwaterfish.com had why not? I though I would hardly see them but they come out day and night. When they burrow in the sand, I usually know where they are at when I'm cleaning the substrate. The sand won't move lol... If you don't have these in your tanks, make sure you get some. They are friendly to all inhabitants to include all types of corals.
Reviewed by: Dale Pichelmayer on Feb. 19, 2024
Went right to work cleaning the sand.
Reviewed by: Andrew Hayes on Feb. 19, 2024
Arrived healthy and active
Reviewed by: Joshua Mcadams on Feb. 7, 2024
It died two days after acclimating it. Could have been due to an error on my part.
Reviewed by: Brian Carr on Feb. 1, 2024
This is the first time buying from this company. Sand Sifting starfish arrived alive and seems to be doing well. Will buy from again. Great price.
Reviewed by: Brian Carr on Jan. 26, 2024
Amazingly healthy starfish started eating immediately.
Reviewed by: Sean Boyer on Jan. 23, 2024
Very hardy Starfish.
Reviewed by: Sean Boyer on Jan. 16, 2024
Reviewed by: Matt Troyer on Jan. 8, 2024
Reviewed by: Tim Bunk on Dec. 25, 2023
Reviewed by: Erin Holmes on Dec. 17, 2023
Very big one ??
Reviewed by: John Stone on Dec. 10, 2023
Arrived healthy
Reviewed by: Steven Bauer on Dec. 6, 2023
Reviewed by: Michael Pangburn on Dec. 2, 2023
Reviewed by: Mike Lee on Nov. 26, 2023
Bigger than expected !
Reviewed by: Gregory Olander on Nov. 9, 2023
Reviewed by: Gary Nelson on Oct. 30, 2023
I really needed this guy, and he got right to work.
Reviewed by: Howard Smith on Oct. 23, 2023
Very interesting and compelling pet. He’s so graceful climbing to the top of the tank and drops and turns so gracefully. I want sure what to feed him so I purchased a fresh clam.
Reviewed by: Denise Kloepping on Oct. 16, 2023
Reviewed by: Kevin Beverly on Oct. 8, 2023
Reviewed by: Matt Reese on Sept. 24, 2023
Reviewed by: Ginger Coates on Sept. 24, 2023
The starfish is constantly buried in the sand. I have yet to see it surface on its own. I'm hoping that its cleaning the sand while buried. It is cool to watch how fast he buries himself in the sand when I manage to locate him to pull him out of the sand.
Reviewed by: Esther Murphy on May 16, 2018
Arrived in good health after acclimation instantly disappeared into sand bed
Reviewed by: Lenny on Dec. 4, 2016
This star had done lots of cleaning over night...I can see the star shape all over the sand, busy guy!
Reviewed by: Rosemarie Santos on April 9, 2016
Sand Sifting Starfish are a great way to help manage the algae and substrate in your tank. While they spend much of the time hidden under the sand, this is okay since they are helping to keep it clean. They do come out during the daytime from time to time, and can often be seen once the lights go out, including on the glass.
Reviewed by: Phillip A Thrasher Jr on April 26, 2015
Reviewed by: Lisa Waldron on Oct. 1, 2014
What a surprise, nice big starfish! great price very healthy
Reviewed by: Rob on July 6, 2014
