Sand sifting stars

[Oholic]

Im interested in picking up one maybe two of theses being that there good for detritus & turning over the sand.... Being that I have a 29g and im seeing my detritus sitting on top my sand bed im assuming adding one of these would be good... Now I have a 29g with say 40-60lbs of live rock... If I add one would it out grow my tank... since the amount of room for the star to sift is good while its small but might become a problem later...

 

[FlexLuthor]

that's a lot of rock!
i heard they're bad because if u have live sand they'll eventually kill it.

 

[Oholic]

that's a lot of rock!
i heard they're bad because if u have live sand they'll eventually kill it.

i have the slightest clue... but my lfs told me to go with sand sifting gobies... but even those get pretty big to... Think max growth is somehere between 5"-7"

 

[E.intheC]

Sand sifting stars are not a good idea here. There really just isn't enough real estate. They will starve pretty quickly. Same with the gobies, unless you can get them to eat prepared foods. If you have really fine sand the gobies will make a constant sand storm as well.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Nassarius snails are great for this

 

[Oholic]

Nassarius snails are great for this

I had some of these also... Now all I have is empty shells... Not sure if my coral banded shrimp has been making snacks of them which I doubt... Even been seeing slot of empty hermit shells now too


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[Mikei70]

I had some of these also... Now all I have is empty shells... Not sure if my coral banded shrimp has been making snacks of them which I doubt... Even been seeing slot of empty hermit shells now too

Maybe a mantis shrimp?

Have you heard any tapping at night?

 

[Oholic]

Maybe a mantis shrimp?

Have you heard any tapping at night?

No I haven't I am going to replenish my invert supply and see if I still have missing inverts


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[wonderreef]

I had some of these also... Now all I have is empty shells... Not sure if my coral banded shrimp has been making snacks of them which I doubt... Even been seeing slot of empty hermit shells now too


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i would suspect that it would be the hermits as they do this when they outgrow their shell, but be carefull with the coral banded shrimp because if he is not well fed he might do this as well.

 

[THEDLO]

yea...bad idea on the stars a decorated goby is a great sifter that doesnt solely depend pm sand sifting

 

[Keith P]

How about a fighting conch?


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[Imbarrie]

I have two fighting conchs and I love them. They only cone out at night and burrow during the day.
Have a yellow watchman goby and many nasarius snails.
And no crabs except one scarlet hermit that has never bothered anyone.


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