Echinoderms · Archasteridae
Archaster typicus
Sand star
A grey or brownish burrowing sea star of Indo-Pacific sand flats and seagrass beds, often sold as a 'sand sifting star'. It buries itself in sediment and feeds on detritus. It is very often confused with Astropecten polyacanthus.
- beginner level
- Minimum tank
- 100 L
- Adult size
- 12–15 cm
This sheet is still being written. Some sections are not filled in yet: they stay hidden while they are empty.
Day to day
Care and feeding
- LevelBeginner
- FoodDetritivore
- Tank≥ 100 L
Care
Acclimation: like all sea stars, it copes poorly with sudden changes in water chemistry. Acclimate it slowly by drip and do not take it out of the water.
Setup: it is a soft-bottom species that lives half-buried, so it needs a large sand bed: Reeflex rates it 'easy' and recommends at least 100 L. When buying, check that it really is Archaster and not the more predatory Astropecten (see identification).
Tankmates: none of the sources consulted describes attacks on corals or fish. Avoid sea star predators.
Starvation risk: for burrowing stars used the same way (Astropecten polyacanthus), LiveAquaria warns that after clearing the tank's sand of detritus, the star burrows, starves and decays in the substrate if it is not fed. Apply the same caution and keep it only in a mature tank.
Water: no species-specific source gives figures.
Feeding
In the wild it is a detritivore: it eats detritus, decaying plant matter, small invertebrates and anything else edible it comes across. It everts its stomach through its mouth, engulfs the food and then draws it back inside.
In the aquarium, none of the sources consulted gives a precise diet or frequency. Watch that it stays active and does not lose weight; if needed, supplement with small sinking meaty foods placed near it, as is done for other sand stars.
Related species
Other echinoderms
Blue linckia
Linckia laevigata
