Astropecten polycanthus

Muller & Troschel, 1842

Sand Sifting Starfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to Australia and New Zealand.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits the upper level of sand in protected lagoons.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the home aquarium trade.

A sand sifter/consumer of detritus and other small, valuable invertebrates such as small clams, shrimp, snails, urchins and/or other sea stars in the aquarium.

Also contains a powerful neurotoxin (Tetrodotoxin/TTX) that can cause paralytic poisoning should it enter the human body. There is no known antidote.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroidea

Order: Paxillosida

Family: Astropectinidae

Genus: Astropecten

FYI: Personally, was not satisfied with my experience with this species, as my substrate became mostly void of valuable invertebrates. If sand stirring is necessary, the use of a thin rod may be the best way to go, as it will not kill valuable invertebrates.

Sensitive to salinity changes.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Omnivore

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: with caution

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4