Sand Sifting Star & Corals

[marxman]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of adding a sand sifting star to my tank, but had a question before I do.

I have 3 lobophyllia and 1 trachyphillia of good size on my sand bed. They are doing well and so I am assuming that their placement is correct.

Will a sand sifting star have any effect on these corals? Is there any chance that it climbs on and damages these corals? Do I need to consider relocating these corals if I add a star?

thanks in advance

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

I have never had one bother coral. They seem to sense things and go around them. They will however magically appear one day and crawl around your glass which is always a favorite.

 

[Dan_P]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of adding a sand sifting star to my tank, but had a question before I do.

I have 3 lobophyllia and 1 trachyphillia of good size on my sand bed. They are doing well and so I am assuming that their placement is correct.

Will a sand sifting star have any effect on these corals? Is there any chance that it climbs on and damages these corals? Do I need to consider relocating these corals if I add a star?

thanks in advance

My sand sifter seems to move with very little force, looks like it’s floating when on top of the sand. And then somehow buries itself in the sand without disturbing anything.

 

[DrMMI]

Just be sure you have a deep and very established sand bed. These guys will completely wipe out every living organism in a sand bed in a few months and then slowly starve to death. I would never put one in my reef ever again.

 

[Dan_P]

Just be sure you have a deep and very established sand bed. These guys will completely wipe out every living organism in a sand bed in a few months and then slowly starve to death. I would never put one in my reef ever again.

Good to know. How could you tell whether the sea starved rather then being short lived?

 

[DrMMI]

Good to know. How could you tell whether the sea starved rather then being short lived?

It's arms slowly disinterested

 

[MaxTremors]

It's arms slowly disinterested

I think you meant disintegrated.

 

[DrMMI]

I think you meant disintegrated.

Haha dang autocorrect! That's what happens when you reply to posts and the light turns green.

 

[marxman]

Thanks for the tips guys.. I do have a pretty deep sand bed and it's established, so there should be a lot to feed on immediately. I'll keep an eye on him (his name is Sandro) incase he starts to run out of things to munch on.

 

[Uncle99]

Mine dropped an arm on a Trac, and left that impression in his flesh, however, in a month it did repair. Assume it was a mistake?

Never been able to keep a sand sifting star more than a month or two, looks like he’s so efficient in cleaning, he strips the sand.