Not furry either, still lovely.

Sand Sifting Starfish

Astropecten polyacanthus

Also called Sand sifting sea star, Comb sea star

SpeciesShort profile

From Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Zanzibar east to Hawaii, and from Japan south to Australia and New Zealand; lives on silty sand in harbours and estuaries down to about 185 m.1

At a glance the quick version

Lengthup to 20 cm1 2

Sizemedium

Arm spread up to about 20 cm (8 inches); individual arms up to 9 cm.

Keeps the sand bed stirred

Fascinating burrowing behaviour

Peaceful towards fish

2 1

Looks how to spot one

Spiny five-armed star

A flat five-armed sea star whose arms are edged with a fringe of stiff spines. Its tube feet end in points rather than suckers, ideal for digging through sand.1 2

ColoursDark purplish or brown upper sideOrange undersideCream, grey or beige banding1 2

Personality what they are like

A calm, mostly nocturnal star that spends much of the day buried in the sand and moves slowly and steadily when it forages.1 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Burrows through the sand bed searching for food, mostly at night.1 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Drip acclimate, never lift it into open air, keep water stable and avoid copper-based treatments.2

Home where they are happiest

A mature marine tank with several inches of deep sand to burrow in. Stable, fully marine water at about 22-26 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity (specific gravity) 1.023-1.025 and dKH 8-12.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A carnivore and scavenger that eats detritus, small molluscs and other small invertebrates; in a home tank it should be offered a varied meaty diet so it does not run short of food.1 2

Company who they like around

Peaceful with fish; may eat small invertebrates living in the sand. Keep away from puffers.2

The story where it all began

Muller and Troschel described this sea star in 1842. It is widespread across the warm Indo-Pacific and is kept by reef aquarists for its habit of working through the sand bed.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its tube feet are pointed instead of having suckers, which helps it dig.1
2
It swallows small clams and snails whole.1
3
It sometimes swallows pebbles to feed on the film of tiny life growing on them.1
4
It has been found as deep as about 185 m.1

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy (via Wikipedia): Described by Muller and Troschel in 1842 (family Astropectinidae).1

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Sand Sifting Starfish. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
Salinity checkevery week
Water testevery week
Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
Light checkevery month

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Sand Sifting Starfish?

Your Sand Sifting Starfish is a carnivore and scavenger that eats detritus and small invertebrates. In a home tank, offer a varied meaty diet so it doesn't run short of food, but feeding frequency depends on your setup. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for a schedule tailored to your starfish.1 2

What does a Sand Sifting Starfish eat, and what should it never eat?

It eats detritus, small molluscs and other small invertebrates as a carnivore and scavenger. Offer a varied meaty diet to keep it healthy. Avoid copper-based treatments in the water, and for specific foods to never feed, consult a vet.1 2

How much space does a Sand Sifting Starfish need?

It needs a mature marine tank with several inches of deep, fine sand to burrow in. The exact tank size depends on the starfish's size and sand depth; ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for specific recommendations.2

What temperature, light or water does a Sand Sifting Starfish need?

It needs stable, fully marine water at 22-26 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025, and dKH 8-12. Furry Diary's starting plan includes weekly salinity checks and water tests, daily top-ups with fresh RO water, and a 10-20% water change every two weeks.2 Pet Wiki plan

How often should I clean a Sand Sifting Starfish's home?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10-20% water change every two weeks, weekly salinity and water tests, and daily top-ups with fresh RO water. Avoid disturbing the sand bed too much, as the starfish burrows there. For deeper cleaning, ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet.2 Pet Wiki plan

Can a Sand Sifting Starfish live with others?

It is peaceful with fish but may eat small invertebrates living in the sand. Keep it away from puffers. It can share a tank with other peaceful species, but monitor for any aggression.2

How long does a Sand Sifting Starfish live?

Lifespan varies depending on care and environment; there is no specific information provided. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for an estimate.

Can I handle a Sand Sifting Starfish?

No, you should never lift it into open air. Always drip acclimate it and keep it submerged. Handling can stress it and damage its delicate tube feet.2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

Astropecten polyacanthus (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, colours, body, behaviour, diet, taxonomy, fun facts
Sand Sifting Sea Star (LiveAquaria) liveaquaria.comused for size, colours, temperament, water parameters, care, diet in captivity

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.