{"product_id":"sand-sifting-starfish","title":"Sand Sifting Starfish","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSand Sifting Starfish\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sand Sifting Starfish (\u003cem\u003eArchaster typicus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the unsung workhorse of the reef cleanup crew — a tireless, methodical cleaner that does its best work completely out of sight. Burrowing beneath the sandbed surface, \u003cstrong\u003ethis species continuously sifts through substrate, consuming detritus, uneaten food, and organic waste before it can break down and fuel nuisance algae or spike nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e. While your skimmer handles the water column and your snails patrol the glass, the Sand Sifting Star is down in the substrate doing the dirty work that nothing else in your tank will touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its cleanup value, \u003cem\u003eArchaster typicus\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the most consistently active and visible starfish available in the hobby. Unlike many starfish that hide and rarely move, this species is constantly in motion — gliding across the sandbed surface, disappearing beneath it, and re-emerging in a different spot hours later. Its attractive tan and grey banding pattern with a textured, granular surface makes it visually appealing even when it is out in the open, and it will frequently emerge to cruise across the rockwork after the lights dim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, reef safe, and genuinely hardy compared to many starfish species, the Sand Sifting Star is an easy recommendation for any system with a sandbed — and a genuinely valuable one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#1a5a61;\"\u003eAvailable Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(180deg,#f6fbf8 0%, #edf7f2 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6e3; border-radius: 12px; padding: 13px 15px;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"color:#1a5a61; margin-bottom:6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSand Sifting Starfish — Single\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne healthy Sand Sifting Starfish (\u003cem\u003eArchaster typicus\u003c\/em\u003e), ready to get to work\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDrip acclimate carefully before introduction — sensitive to salinity and pH swings\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBest suited to established systems with a live sandbed of at least 2–3\" depth\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#184f69;\"\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:10px 10px;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e72–82°F — stable temps essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🧂 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.023–1.026 — drip acclimate carefully\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🐠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful — fully reef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasy — one of the hardiest starfish available\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🍽️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScavenger — detritus, organic matter, microorganisms\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🏠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eHabitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLive sandbed — minimum 2–3\" depth recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#6a6b58;\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#faf8ee; border:1px solid #e6e1c9; border-left:4px solid #b7ad78; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; color:#22323a;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003eSand Sifting Starfish require a well-established live sandbed with sufficient microfauna to sustain them — avoid adding to new or sterile systems.\u003c\/strong\u003e In very clean, low-nutrient tanks they can deplete the sandbed of food and starve — supplement with occasional target feeding of small pieces of meaty food placed near the substrate. Always drip acclimate slowly over at least 30–60 minutes and never expose to air. Keep away from puffers, triggers, and large wrasses that may attack them. Never expose to copper-based medications. One star per 50 gallons is a reasonable stocking guideline to avoid overworking the sandbed.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003e🔍 Aquarium Insights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOne of the few CUC members that actively aerates the sandbed as it works — preventing anaerobic dead spots that can produce hydrogen sulfide in deep substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMore active and visible than most starfish species — frequently seen gliding across the sandbed surface and rockwork after lights dim\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA genuinely functional addition that improves sandbed health in ways no other CUC member can replicate — and one of the easiest starfish to keep successfully long term\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eFor detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/pages\/species-library\" style=\"color:#1d5c78;\"\u003eSpecies Library\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f6f8f9; border:1px solid #dde4e7; border-left:4px solid #8a98a0; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; font-size:13px; color:#607078; line-height:1.65;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong style=\"color:#46545b;\"\u003eLivestock Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:8px 0 10px;\"\u003eDue to natural variation, the specimen you receive may vary slightly in arm span, coloration, and banding pattern. Photographs are representative examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eIndividual specimens may display differences depending on tank conditions and available food sources in the sandbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eAs with all live animals, proper drip acclimation and a stable, established environment are essential for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n","brand":"Macroalgae Farms","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48024017895683,"sku":"S7, S11, Y","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/7151\/7699\/files\/ChatGPTImageApr28_2026_10_08_35AM.png?v=1777396160","url":"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/products\/sand-sifting-starfish","provider":"Macroalgae Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}