Quick question about Sand-Sifting Stars (Astropecten polycanthus)

[as40]

Hey all!

I wanted to get something that would keep my DSB stirred up and clean, and was told and have read that the common sand sifting star (Astropecten polycanthus) was a safe choice, as it would stay off the LR, and was reef-safe. So I got one. A rather small one, the smallest I could find (at about 5 inches). Was told that it would not harm any of my other inverts also. Then I read a couple postings this morning that seem to contradict that, saying that they can attack/kill other inverts if hungry.

Is this true, and do I have to worry? I've got a lot of snails, hermits, and cleaner shrimp that I don't want to have to replace. I'd take the star back into the store and swap him if this is true. Also, was thinking of purchasing a bunch of nassarius (spelling?) snails to help keep the sand stirred also, but would my star eat them?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[gbolton]

I have never had any problems with my sand sifting star. He has never bothered any of my other cleaning crew. I do every now and then squirt food from a baster directly into the sand bed and he will be in that area within about 10 minutes. I always do this in the same area.

 

[OrionGirl]

Sand sifters go after micro fauna, like pods and worms, more so than any of the larger organisms. My tank with a sand sifter has lots of nassarius snails, so I can't imagine he's taking any of them. That said, it is important to provide enough food for the detrivores in a tank. Crabs, snails, and shrimp can become aggressive if hungry enough. It doesn't usually require a significant amount of food, and considering that most of us overfeed rather than underfeed, I would not worry about it.

 

[as40]

Thanks for the info. Most invaluable! I don't think I would have ventured into the salty side if it weren't for the reassurance that you folks are here to help.

I do try and target feed everything now and then (probably more than less, like you pointed out, OrionGirl). I put a pinch of flakes or pellets in the tank every day or so just for that purpose. Other than that I hope they do what I got them for and go after the algae, etc.

I just watched my star glide right past a bunch of pellets I put in there for him though, so don't know if he's picky or what. I'll just have to experiment and figure out what he likes, I guess.