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Invertebrates |  |
Phylum: Echinodermata, Class: Asteroidea
Range: Tropical Oceans
Size: 12 in. Space:: 100+ gal. Diet: clams, worms, algae, detritus
Reef Safe: Caution Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Natural History: Sand Sifting Stars move about with tube feet on reefs with sandy substrates. Their tube feet are controlled with an internal water vascular system. They are able to move sand with their feet to dig down and find sand-dwelling invertebrates such as bristleworms, worms, snails, sea cucumbers, which they eat.
Husbandry: Sand sifting stars are reef safe starfish that feed on a variety of benthic organisms. They should be kept with a deep sand bed due to their sand sifting behavior. They should be fed Nori seaweed and clam meat or they may starve.