sand sifting star

[angel1237]

I went to my reef store tonight and told them I have diatoms...they recommended some more snails...and a sand sifting starfish...so I bought It....when I got home and started reading about It I am a bit worried my tank will not have enough to feed It...people say they starve to death and die...then add toxin to the tank...what the frig did I do...and did my reef store steer me wrong...my tank Is a 26gl...It has been cycling for a little over 4 weeks now...no fish just a small cleanup crew...now I worry again....is this ok for my tank?...also after acclimating it(the star fish) I lifted it out of the bag and put it in the tank exposing it to air and then read not to expose it to air at all..ohhh I have so much to learn...however I hope my reef store didn't steer me wrong...and the air didn't harm the starfish...please help me understand this step I just took.....was it a bad one...

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

If he eats runs out of food you could always take him back.

 

[Ladysaber]

They are great for sifting, yes, but like all stars, they do appear above the sand to forage and eat. Mine knows when the tank is being fed. He's the first one up and for a star, is pretty quick to get to the areas that have leftover food. Also, sand sifters are pretty hardy. The amount of air that you exposed him to will not harm him.


Jenn

 

[Trex]

In a tank that has been running for a year or so it will strip the sandbed clean of life it short order (( while not eating diatoms )). In a tank that is small, and only set up for a month, there will be little to no food for it. I would take it back if you can, and reconsider some of the advice that LFS is giving you.

Even if your tank was larger (( 180+ )), it is way too soon for one.

Mind you, it can take months for them to starve to death.

 

[angel1237]

how would I know if he runs out of food?

 

[Trex]

With the info given about your tank, safe to guess that it is already out of food.

But, you start to see the arms shrink/disapper as it consumes itself for food. It will be on the glass/rocks looking for food, and eventfully less and less movement from it.

 

[angel1237]

if he Is eating the food I put In the tank...how will he starve to death? please understand I am asking these questions in sincerity I am only 5 weeks into this....thank you