Sand sifting starfish (Archaster typicus) care guide

Group

Other invertebrates

Other names

Sand sifting star, Sand star, Common sea star, Sand-sifting sea star

Family

Archasteridae

Origin

Shallow Indo-Pacific and western Indian Ocean, from the Maldives to the Philippines, Japan, northern Australia and Hawaii; to about 60 m

Water

saltwater

Maximum size

15 cm

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025

Care level

intermediate

Temperament

peaceful

Reef safe

yes

Care

The sand sifting starfish is a grey or brown sea star with five long, tapering, pointed arms, patched with darker and lighter marks that sometimes form chevrons, and a pale underside. Adults reach 12–15 cm across; males are usually smaller. The name 'sand sifting star' is also used for Astropecten species, which look similar. In the wild it lives on sand, silt and seagrass beds, burying itself in the sediment and coming out to move over the surface. It feeds by pushing its stomach out through its mouth over the sand to digest detritus and small organisms. In the aquarium it is often sold as clean-up crew to keep sand stirred, but it needs a large, mature tank with a wide, deep sand bed (several centimetres deep and a large surface area) that is rich in life, and even then many slowly starve because they strip the sand bed of the micro-fauna they eat. Do not add one to a new tank or a small one, and keep only one unless the sand bed is very large. Watch for shrinking arms, which is a sign of starvation. Water figures here are standard reef conditions (general guidance). Starfish are very sensitive to changes in salinity, pH and temperature, so drip-acclimatise over several hours and never expose them to air. Copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archastertypicus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A detritivore that sifts the sand bed for detritus, uneaten food and small invertebrates such as worms and copepods. Because it can empty a sand bed of life, supplement by burying sinking pellets or small pieces of meaty food under the sand near it two or three times a week.

Breeding

Like other starfish it spawns by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, but it pairs up first. About two months before spawning, males climb onto females and may stay on top for weeks so that both release gametes at the same time; in the Philippines this happens in September and October, mostly around the full moon. Stars mature at a radius of about 3 cm. The larvae settle among mangroves in the wild and are not raised in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and harmless to corals, fish and other invertebrates, but it competes with sand-bed fauna and other sand sifters for food. May be eaten or attacked by harlequin shrimp, puffers, triggers and some large wrasses. It can disturb a 'living' sand bed that you want to keep for its microfauna.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.