Starfish ID

[ginnboy]

I found this star on my trip to fla over the weekend. It does not claim rock or the glass, it only diggs in the sand. Thanks

 

[perfectdark]

Sand Sifting Star....I believe they call it a purple beaded star Astropecten Articulatus , Atlantic species... But Ophiura is the expert, I may be way off LOL.

 

[ginnboy]

Thanks, what do they eat left over food or some thing else

 

[zeke92]

that doesn't look like a sandsifter to me. atleast not like the ones i have seen.

 

[mx#28]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2633439
Sand Sifting Star....I believe they call it a purple beaded star Astropecten Articulatus , Atlantic species... But Ophiura is the expert, I may be way off LOL.
Agreed.

I believe these are the most prolific stars in many parts of Florida.

 

[mx#28]

Originally Posted by ginnboy
http:///forum/post/2633498
Thanks, what do they eat left over food or some thing else
You should google 'Astropecten Articulatus'. There is an interesting article about some of what they eat.

 

[ophiura]

Astropecten articulatus is a ferocious predator on just about anything (including other seastars) and I would NEVER keep it in a reef tank. So I hope it is not in one! On the other hand you should be able to spot feed it just about anything meaty.

 

[coraljunky]

Also known as a beaded star. I had one for 12+ months in my 90g reef. It was not a sand sifter, but it did burrow in the sand. I fed it krill and silver sides. For some reason it wouldn't even attempt to climb the rockwork or ever get higher than 6" up the glass. I traded it to another reefer due to it's increasingly large size. 7"+

 

[ophiura]

The fact that it took to meaty food distinguishes it well from the similar but actually not closely related Archaster (the sand sifter star). This star DOES cruise under the sand and probably eats just about any little invert it encounters. But unlike Archaster it will eat much, much more.