What is going on? Starfish

[seaham358]

I have these 2 sand sifter stars. I have had them for 6 months now and the last 5 days they have been like this. What is going on with them? The large one will bury itself and the small one will hang on and ride him all over the tank. This has been going on for 5 days now. Any ideas... Thanks... All parameters are fine and everything else in tank is normal.

 

[leviwin]

Don't know much about starfishes, but it looks to me like they are pairing up.

 

[ophiura]

It is called "pseudocopulation" but no one is very clear about reproductive success, if any, from this behavior, though it is widely noted in captivity. They almost certainly will not reproduce in the tank.

 

[seaham358]

So I don't have to worry about this. I was concerned that the small one was hurting the other. Thanks......

 

[reef fool]

Hey Bob,
Just float a Marlboro in the tank, if they light it up, you may have to buy a box of cigars in a few months!!