Not furry either, still lovely.
Sand Sifting Starfish
Astropecten polyacanthus
Also called Sand sifting sea star, Comb sea star
From Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Zanzibar east to Hawaii, and from Japan south to Australia and New Zealand; lives on silty sand in harbours and estuaries down to about 185 m.1
At a glance the quick version
Arm spread up to about 20 cm (8 inches); individual arms up to 9 cm.
Looks how to spot one
Spiny five-armed star
A flat five-armed sea star whose arms are edged with a fringe of stiff spines. Its tube feet end in points rather than suckers, ideal for digging through sand.12
Personality what they are like
A calm, mostly nocturnal star that spends much of the day buried in the sand and moves slowly and steadily when it forages.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Burrows through the sand bed searching for food, mostly at night.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Drip acclimate, never lift it into open air, keep water stable and avoid copper-based treatments.2
Home where they are happiest
A mature marine tank with several inches of deep sand to burrow in. Stable, fully marine water at about 22-26 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity (specific gravity) 1.023-1.025 and dKH 8-12.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A carnivore and scavenger that eats detritus, small molluscs and other small invertebrates; in a home tank it should be offered a varied meaty diet so it does not run short of food.12
Company who they like around
Peaceful with fish; may eat small invertebrates living in the sand. Keep away from puffers.2
The story where it all began
Muller and Troschel described this sea star in 1842. It is widespread across the warm Indo-Pacific and is kept by reef aquarists for its habit of working through the sand bed.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Described by Muller and Troschel in 1842 (family Astropectinidae).1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sand Sifting Starfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Sand Sifting Starfish?
Your Sand Sifting Starfish is a carnivore and scavenger that eats detritus and small invertebrates. In a home tank, offer a varied meaty diet so it doesn't run short of food, but feeding frequency depends on your setup. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for a schedule tailored to your starfish.12
What does a Sand Sifting Starfish eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats detritus, small molluscs and other small invertebrates as a carnivore and scavenger. Offer a varied meaty diet to keep it healthy. Avoid copper-based treatments in the water, and for specific foods to never feed, consult a vet.12
How much space does a Sand Sifting Starfish need?
It needs a mature marine tank with several inches of deep, fine sand to burrow in. The exact tank size depends on the starfish's size and sand depth; ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for specific recommendations.2
What temperature, light or water does a Sand Sifting Starfish need?
It needs stable, fully marine water at 22-26 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025, and dKH 8-12. Furry Diary's starting plan includes weekly salinity checks and water tests, daily top-ups with fresh RO water, and a 10-20% water change every two weeks.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Sand Sifting Starfish's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10-20% water change every two weeks, weekly salinity and water tests, and daily top-ups with fresh RO water. Avoid disturbing the sand bed too much, as the starfish burrows there. For deeper cleaning, ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet.2 Furry Diary plan
Can a Sand Sifting Starfish live with others?
It is peaceful with fish but may eat small invertebrates living in the sand. Keep it away from puffers. It can share a tank with other peaceful species, but monitor for any aggression.2
How long does a Sand Sifting Starfish live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment; there is no specific information provided. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for an estimate.
Can I handle a Sand Sifting Starfish?
No, you should never lift it into open air. Always drip acclimate it and keep it submerged. Handling can stress it and damage its delicate tube feet.2
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Astropecten polyacanthus (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, colours, body, behaviour, diet, taxonomy, fun facts
- Sand Sifting Sea Star (LiveAquaria) liveaquaria.comused for size, colours, temperament, water parameters, care, diet in captivity
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.