Please help with this starfish identification

[CarlL]

Hi I bought this star fish a while ago and was told by my LFS that it was a sand sifting star. I don't think he is as he never goes in the sand and stays on the rocks/glass. I think he might be a tan fromia but there is some debate. Does anyone know for sure? Thanks!

 

[jorge garrido]

def not a sand shifting star fish .. looks really nice

 

[jay0705]

Agreed

 

[pegasus]

It's for sure NOT a sand sifter. The first thing that comes to mind is a fromia star, as it has too many bumps to be a chocolate chip. You should return it, as many sea stars (proper term) are not reef safe. I messed up and bought a chocolate chip (my wife's idea) without researching it. After losing a couple of prize mushrooms and ricordeas, it went back to the LFS. This is what a sand sifting sea star looks like. It's grayish-white body is fairly smooth with small black patches scattered across it's body/legs.

 

[jay0705]

Def not choc chip I agree. Its almost lickia like, but most have more color

 

[1guydude]

I have one but more lighter. Reef safe I think. C if I can provide a link.
D

 

[pegasus]

Def not choc chip I agree. Its almost lickia like, but most have more color

Too pointed and too bumpy to be linkia, and definitely not colorful enough. Looks like a brown version of Nardoa-frianti:

 

[jay0705]

Hmm

 

[1guydude]

No fromia elegans imo
They r red brown orange ect.
Common name marbled starfish hths
D

 

[pegasus]

Nardoa sp. comes in various colors and shades : This appears closer than the red one in the pic. http://www.naturefootage.com/video-clips/EF03_009