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FAQs about Sand-Sifting Sea Star
Compatibility
Related Articles:
Sand-Sifting Stars,
Asterina Stars,
An Introduction to the
Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and
More... By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs:
Seastar
Compatibility,
Sandsifting Stars 1,
Sandsifting Stars 2, & FAQs on:
Sandsifting Star ID, Sandsifting
Star Behavior,
Sandsifting Star
Selection, Sandsifting Star Systems,
Sandsifting Star Feeding,
Sandsifting Star Disease,
Sandsifting Star Reproduction, &
Sand
Sifters for Marine Systems, Sea Stars 1, Sea
Stars 2, Sea Stars 3, Sea
Stars 4, Sea Stars 5,
Seastar Selection,
Seastar Scavenger Selection,
Brittlestar Selection,
Serpent Star Scavengers,
Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior,
Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction, Seastar
Disease, Asterina Stars,
Chocolate Chip Stars, Crown of
Thorns Stars,
Fromia Stars,
Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2,
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Sand Sifting Star 3/21/08
Hey guys.
<Hi Jay.>
I had a question about sand sifting stars. I heard from the guys at the LFS that
sand sifting stars will take all the nutrients out of live sand. Is this true?
<More of the fauna in the sand is what they go after, not desirable.>
Because I have several fish that need live sand to thrive and I was just
wondering if I need to take this guy back to the store.
<I would unless your system is large and you want the sand sifter.>
Also what is the smallest tank you would recommend for one of these guys?
<100 gallons is the bare minimum for one. The problem being they will deplete
the life in the sand bed and eventually starve.>
Thanks again you guys, Jay
<Welcome, good luck, Scott V.>
- This is the End of My Pets and the Tank -
All starfishes and worms appears to be dead, and all begins to decay. :( :(
:( :( :cry. And so well.. I should tell back the first storyline why this is can
happened. I have a 3 gallon tanks (I guess; it was 60 x 30 x 36) and the
inhabitants were living with harmony and living happily. The water was so clear,
never polluted and nitrates were very low. But... When I want a horned starfish
(Protoreastor) I see in the aquaria, I just foolishly selected it and without
any guesswork and considers what could be happened. The seller were so clumsy
and looked not so smart (did you know how he put the stars in the transport
bags?? He took them out from the water and expose them to the air!! <Next
time, don't buy them if the store clerk bags them up that way - refuse to pay
for them and tell them why; seastars should not be exposed to the air.> and
I'd be sure they became stressed) And, when I opened the bag in my home, milky
saturation exists replacing the water. I ignoring it, and started to put the
stars in my aquaria (sorry, this ones without acclimatization and I just put
them into the small tank because of the heavy bag to put floating in aquarium.)
and they starts to exudes the rotting secretion to water, and next day
the vision was totally obscured. So, I went to the second aquaria marketplace
(with my mother began shouting to me) to buy two gallons of saltwater (hey.. in
this country no salt mixes available for this; Bob Fenner maybe had been here,
for diving in Bunaken and Bali) and using water changes for this. I change it,
and waiting to Monday. Next day, all stars die (they as prominently exuding
slime and ossicles were falling apart), worms sheds the crown and die. The only
survivors is the semi-terrestrial mangrove Ceriths and they now hanging creeping
above water surface. And I am fully aware and sure the water were boosting to
high-ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.* sob, sob, waahhh !!!!*
Mercifully, my mother did, tolerant this likely unforgivable event and I
promised to be more careful in selection and care. So, I planned to restart all
of this. I started with Archasters, and some others. Can you give me a
recommendation for tankmates for Archasters? <Unless space is a real issue
for you, can I convince you to get a slightly larger tank? Three gallons is
smaller than small, and as you've now seen things can go badly very fast in a
tank of this size. Even so, if you must keep this small system, I really
wouldn't put much in it - perhaps one seastar, one featherduster, and maybe one
shrimp, but that's all. If you put too much life in this tank, you'll have a
repeat of this bad experience.> (I would be happy if I can put some other
starfish species and Brittlestars) and can I use the old sand (I scared if it
was contaminated) for the new setting? <You should be able to use the old
sand - just let the tank run for a week or so with nothing else in it.>
Thanks a lot!!!
Anargha.
<Cheers, J -- >
Archaster typicus
Bob, What are your thoughts on the theory that the Archaster typicus starfish consumes too much of the bacteria in the live sand,
depleting the aquarium of the bacteria needed for maintaining the biological equilibrium.
<Not a practical consideration. No problem>
I have a 40 gallon reef tank that runs on the Berlin system, and I have one Archaster
star; I was wondering if this was a legitimate issue. Thanks for the input. B. Brown
<Not IMO/E. Bob Fenner>
Sand Sifting Star Detrimental to Plenum Setup?
I have 40 gallon with a small sump (10 gallon aquarium) that has a 1" plenum
and 3" of aragonite sand. Is it possible that the sand sifting star that is in sump could be removing the beneficial bacteria absorbing/eating it)? Or
is it doing more help than bad by stirring it up and removing detritus? Are there better creatures for this? (stirring the substrate that is)
<Good questions... the Archaster star is doing more good than harm. There are other organisms you could use instead, in addition. Please use the search tool, or marine index to read about "Sand Sifters"... on www.WetWebMedia.com
Bob Fenner>
Thanks in advance, Dan
Sand-sifting Star Compatibility with Cleanup Crew?
Hi guys, Haven't written to you in a while, but have been reading the emails everyday. Still amazing answers, just as ever!!
<thanks kindly>
Today I'd like to ask your take on the following. I have 1 of the common sand sifting stars in my 125g tank. Now before I continue I'd like to say, yes, I know they are not good for the
DSB,
<actually... I like them and recommend them. They serve the greater good in many displays for the sheer volume of diatoms they handle. Some other high profile, land-locked aquarists espouse to the contrary although their experience with large, mature reef aquaria seems to be limited>
but as I said my tank is a 125g, and I have a refuge plumbed in that supplies lots of refresher buggy life to the main tank constantly, and my DSB has not diminished in performance.
<agreed and not surprised as one who used such stars in about 2,000 gallons of culture pools in my coral greenhouse>
What I'd like to know is if they are compatible with various smaller cleaners like say Nassarius snails, or Cerith snails,
<definitely>
or either a fighting or queen conch?
<hmmm... some concern about adequate food hear as the gastropods mature>
I'm wondering especially about the small ones like the Nassarius, which I know can stand their ground against things,
<no worries>
but is the star fast enough to catch them, or am I completely wrong, as the stars only eat
micro-life and
such?
<exactly... this sea star is very low risk as an opportunistic omnivore... very "reef-safe" with all
including the Nassarius. Best Regards, Anthony>
Starfish
Bob,
Would white burrowing starfish eat cleaner shrimp? (I don't want to buy the
shrimp if they do.) Also, do I need to feed these starfish or will they feed on detritus? Tammy
<<The White Burrowing Starfish (Archaster typicus)<right> will not eat your Cleaner Shrimp (some other stars, e.g. Green Brittles will), and in an established system with plenty of live rock there is no need to specifically feed them.
Bob Fenner>> |
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Angels And The Star...
Hello can I keep a sand sifting sea star with a Blueface angel or a emperor
angel? Thanks.
<Should be fine. The angels may occasionally take a little nip at the
starfish from time to time, but this is not a common occurrence. I wouldn't
worry about it. I'm sure that the angels will be much more interested
in picking at your rocks for food items. Regards, Scott F>
-Insuring sand star survival-
What can I do to insure the survival of my Sand Star? My tank is only two
months old, I have a 80 gal. tank w/ about 45lbs. live rock and about a 3"
sand bed. I have two sand sifting gobies <First, remove these guys, they're
competing for the same food as the star.>,4 blue-green chromies,1Burgundy
clown,2 cleaner shrimp, 1 royal Gramma, 1 bubble tip anemone, 1 hammer coral, 1
fox coral, 1lg. chili coral, Candy cane coral, that is all I have for now. Any
suggestions for me. <Sand stars require an abundance of sand to keep going.
IMO they have no place in an aquarium with a deep live sand bed since they
devour the very critters that keep the sandbed healthy. -Kevin>
Thank you, Mark W.
Puffers and starfish
I recently purchased a sand sifting starfish without realizing that they are
not compatible with puffers. I have a saddleback and was curious why these would
be problematic to each other. I do realize that they will nip at other fish and
invertebrates but did not think the sand sifter was in its fooooood chain.
<Jose, most invertebrates are not safe with puffers. It's not worth taking the
chance. James (Salty Dog)>
Sand-Sifting Starfish (Needs Lots of Space!) - 07/16/05
I was thinking about purchasing a Sand-Sifting Starfish, and I
was wondering if it would harm other star fish? I have a brittle starfish and
a chocolate chip star fish. I also was concerned if it would harm a scooter
blenny?
<<As a rule no, it won't harm the organisms you mention, but do research/rethink
this purchase (start by having a read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sndsftstrfaqs.htm). These creatures can/will
deplete the biota in a sand bed very quickly. This in itself is not good for
your tank, but bodes even worse for the starfish. Unless your tank is large
(125g or more) with a mature DSB, this animal will likely starve to death within
a year. Regards, Eric R.>>
Sand Sifting Star...Gotta
Have One - 11/23/05
Hi guys, my sincere hope you enjoy your Holiday!
<<Hello and thank you...hope you do the same.>>
No pun, but I'm going to dive right in here. I keep finding conflicting
information about sand-sifting star fish. Books and web based information claim
sand-sifting stars eat algae and waste -including your fact page. However, I
have read your write-backs to concerned aquarists that sand sifting stars eat
the fauna in the sand bed and you encouraged against keeping them.
<<Yes, very effective at what they do. They can decimate the biota in a live
sand bed very quickly...and left to starve as a result.>>
So I decided to see what I could find out about fauna and its life cycle and
turnover rate. I did find articles and tried to make
sense out of what I was reading, but the articles did a better job of
boosting my confidence that marine biology was alive and well with me
guessing if I understood what I was reading. Is fauna really waste that is
generated through a cycle?
<<Um, nope...fauna is the animal life found in a particular region, like in your
sand bed.>>
If so, then what creates it?
<<The fauna is not "waste" but rather the worms/micro-crustaceans in your sand
bed...though it likely feeds on much of it.>>
I understand it's leftover food and fish waste.
<<I think you may be confusing fauna with detritus.>>
Is there such a thing as having too much fauna?
<<Yes, in the sense of overstocking a tank with fishes, other large life...but
not usually in the sense you are referring to.>>
If sand sifting stars eat fauna, then it stands to reason a sufficient territory
will both feed this species and still allow the regeneration of fauna.
<<Agreed...but most home aquaria don't have sand beds of sufficient size to
support these creatures in the long term.>>
Am I on the right track?
<<Mmm...sorta...>>
I really want a sand sifting star because my research confirms they will eat
waste day and night <<And a whole lot more.>>, not attack my fish, not climb on
rocks or up viewing panes. My tank, fish and food info are as follows: 180
gallon with 6 ft. x 18 inch territory of sand. Fish Stock: Starting with the
largest Naso Tang, Green Bird Wrasse, Hawaiian Foxface, Coral Beauty, True
Percula Clown, Yellow Tang, Royal Gamma, 3 striped Damsels, 3 Blue Damsels,
Six-Line Wrasse. Foods: Nori, Clams, Spirulina, Plankton, & Ocean's Formula 2.
<<If this sand bed is mature (12 mos.) and 4+ inches deep it "might" support a
single specimen...but to the detriment of the sand bed in the long run...in my
opinion.>>
Thanks much,
Debi Stanley-Viloria
<<Regards, EricR>>
Re: The Person Who Wants A Sand-Sifting Star - 11/25/05
Someone wrote in about how and why he <<a "she" actually>> wants a
sand-sifting star and EricR tried to discourage it.
<<Yep!>>
But you know in this hobby once we get a bug about getting something we tend to
ignore warnings.
<<Usually to the detriment of the livestock...>>
So if it is that he really wants a sand-sifting star he can ignore this. But if
the real goal is cleaning the sand bed with something that will not disturb the
view and will not change his landscape then there are lots of alternatives.
<<Agreed>>
There are micro brittle stars that only come out at night and they are too small
(about the size of a dime from tip to tip) to move any rocks and there are
worms, tiny sand dwellers that do a great job of cleaning and sifting and they
will multiply according to the need. And if he bought any live sand he probably
has them already. I have a 10 gallon and there are so many different kinds of
tiny threadlike worms which clean my sand so I never have to.
<<Thank you for sharing, EricR>>
Re: Sand Sifting Star...Gotta Have One - 11/25/05
Thank you Eric for your prompt reply!
<<My pleasure Debi>>
I sure didn't expect to hear so soon.
<<We try to not let queries lay about for long...else the boss starts crackin'
the whip! <G> >>
Based on your explanation of Fauna, would an added treatment of
Copepods do the trick?
<<No, not really...the starfish will need much more than copepods to
survive...and in quantities greater than you are likely able to provide.>>
About a month ago a reef store told us we should think about adding Copepods to
our tank twice a year.
<<Would rather spend the monies on setting up a refugium myself, more overall
benefit in the long run...to include replenishing the copepod population in your
tank.>>
Our tank is a year old, so we decided 'what the heck, we'll give it a try'. We
were told some of the stuff will remain microscopic and breed, and some will
grow up in the tank to be like the little bugs we can see in our tank at night
now. Using a magnifying glass, we have seen tiny bugs smaller than a grain of
sand that run about on our sand, also some that look like small clear shrimp,
and some that look like little red and green
Volkswagens.
<<Excellent!>>
We have also seen a few worms and one centipede looking creature, but they
always stayed on or close to the rock. If we add a
sand-sifting star, would adding Copepods protect the integrity of the sand bed?
<<Not at all...the plethora of life in the sand bed which you describe will soon
disappear. EricR>>
Debi Stanley-Viloria
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