{"product_id":"sand-sifting-starfish","title":"Sand Sifting Starfish","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBiosecurity Shipping Limitations apply\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShipping Allowed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 79.3752px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eTasmania\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 128);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eWestern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 42);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eNorthern Territory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003eAll Other States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSand Sifting Starfish\u003c\/strong\u003e is a fascinating marine invertebrate that spends its time burrowing through the substrate in search of food. As it moves through the sand bed, it naturally turns over the upper layers of substrate while feeding on microorganisms, detritus and other organic matter.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its distinctive five arms and pale markings, \u003cem\u003eArchaster typicus\u003c\/em\u003e makes an attractive addition to a mature marine aquarium. It is best suited to \u003cstrong\u003eestablished aquariums with a large, mature sand bed\u003c\/strong\u003e, where natural food populations are plentiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it relies heavily on the organisms living within the substrate, it can struggle in new or very clean aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eArchaster typicus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Microorganisms, detritus and organic matter within the sand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Aquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150L+\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature sand bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally reef safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand Bed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, established substrate recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does a Sand Sifting Starfish eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt feeds on microorganisms, detritus and organic material found throughout the sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it actually clean the sand?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Its burrowing and feeding behaviour helps turn over the substrate and consume organic material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally yes. It does not normally bother healthy corals or fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I keep one in a new aquarium?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is best avoided in new aquariums. A mature sand bed with an established population of microorganisms is important for long-term survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdding one to a new aquarium\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew systems often don't have enough natural food within the sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKeeping one in a bare-bottom aquarium\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSand is essential to its natural feeding and burrowing behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdding too many\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple starfish can quickly deplete the available food in the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAssuming it eats algae\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSand Sifting Starfish are primarily substrate feeders rather than algae grazers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAllowing the sand bed to become too clean\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA visually clean sand bed may not contain enough microorganisms and organic matter to sustain the starfish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49286861095051,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/photoroom_20250514_103555.webp?v=1788236629","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/sand-sifting-starfish","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}