Starfish

Starfish, also known as sea stars, are fascinating echinoderms that are popular in the reefkeeping hobby due to their unique shapes and vibrant colors. These marine invertebrates are not only visually captivating but also play a vital role in the ecosystem of an aquarium. Starfish can be found in a variety of habitats, from tropical coral reefs to cold deep-sea environments. They have a remarkable ability to regenerate lost arms, which is both a survival mechanism and a point of interest for hobbyists. Some species can even reproduce asexually by splitting their bodies and regenerating into two separate individuals.

When considering adding starfish to your aquarium, it is important to understand their specific care requirements. Most starfish are sensitive to changes in water quality and require stable, well-maintained environments. They often prefer a sandy or rocky substrate where they can forage for food. Many starfish are detritivores, feeding on decomposing organic material, algae, and small invertebrates. However, some species have specialized diets; for example, the Acanthaster planci feeds primarily on coral polyps, which can be detrimental to a reef tank.

Compatibility with other tank inhabitants is another crucial aspect to consider. While many starfish are peaceful and can coexist with a variety of marine life, some species may prey on sessile invertebrates or smaller fish. It is essential to research the specific species of starfish you are interested in to ensure it will be a suitable addition to your aquarium. Additionally, starfish are known to be escape artists, so a secure lid on the tank is recommended to prevent any adventurous individuals from climbing out.

In summary, starfish can be a unique and intriguing addition to a saltwater aquarium, offering both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits. Their care requires attention to water quality, diet, and compatibility with other tank inhabitants. By understanding the needs and behaviors of these remarkable creatures, hobbyists can enjoy the beauty and diversity that starfish bring to the marine environment.

1. 
   Common name: Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

   Scientific name: Acanthaster planci
2. 
   Common name: brittlestar

   Scientific name: Amphiura filiformis
3. Common name: Burton's Starfish

   Scientific name: Aquilonastra burtoni
4. 
   Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish

   Scientific name: Archaster angulatus
5. 
   Common name: Indo-Pacific Beach Star

   Scientific name: Archaster typicus
6. 
   Common name: Northern Pacific Seastar

   Scientific name: Asterias amurensis
7. 
   Common name: Northern Sea Star

   Scientific name: Asterias rubens
8. 
   Common name: Asterina Starfish

   Scientific name: Asterina anomala
9. Common name: sheriff-badge sea star

   Scientific name: Asteropsis carinifera
10. Common name: Anderson's Sand Star

    Scientific name: Astropecten andersoni
11. 
    Common name: Red Comb Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten aranciacus
12. 
    Common name: Bispinosus Sand Star

    Scientific name: Astropecten bispinosus
13. 
    Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten jonstoni
14. 
    Common name: comb star

    Scientific name: Astropecten polyacanthus
15. 
    Common name: Sea Sand Starfish

    Scientific name: Astropecten spinulosus
16. 
    Common name: Giant Basket Star

    Scientific name: Astrophyton muricatum
17. 
    Common name: Red Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Chaetaster longipes
18. 
    Common name: Granulated Sea Star

    Scientific name: Choriaster granulatus
19. 
    Common name: white starfish

    Scientific name: Coscinasterias tenuispina
20. 
    Common name: Pin Cushion Star

    Scientific name: Culcita novaeguineae
21. 
    Common name: cushion star

    Scientific name: Culcita schmideliana
22. 
    Common name: Eccentric sand dollar

    Scientific name: Dendraster excentricus
23. 
    Common name: Warty sea star

    Scientific name: Echinaster callosus
24. 
    Common name: Luzon Sea Star

    Scientific name: Echinaster luzonicus
25. 
    Common name: Red starfish

    Scientific name: Echinaster sepositus
26. 
    Common name: Orange spotted purple sea star

    Scientific name: Fromia elegans
27. 
    Common name: Ghardaqa Sea Star

    Scientific name: Fromia ghardaqana
28. 
    Common name: Indian Sea Star

    Scientific name: Fromia indica
29. 
    Common name: Red Starfish

    Scientific name: Fromia milleporella
30. 
    Common name: Red Tile Starfish

    Scientific name: Fromia monilis
31. 
    Common name: Red Sea Star

    Scientific name: Fromia nodosa
32. 
    Common name: Red Starfish

    Scientific name: Fromia polypora
33. 
    Common name: Egyptian Sea Star

    Scientific name: Gomophia egyptiaca
34. 
    Common name: Watson's Sea Star

    Scientific name: Gomophia watsoni
35. 
    Common name: smooth starfish

    Scientific name: Hacelia attenuata
36. 
    Common name: Pacific blood star

    Scientific name: Henricia leviuscula
37. 
    Common name: Bloody Henry starfish

    Scientific name: Henricia oculata
38. 
    Common name: Arctic Cushion Star

    Scientific name: Hippasteria phrygiana
39. 
    Common name: icon star

    Scientific name: Iconaster longimanus
40. Common name: Leather Star

    Scientific name: Leiaster coriaceus
41. Common name: velvety sea star

    Scientific name: Leiaster speciosus
42. 
    Common name: Blue Linckia Starfish

    Scientific name: Linckia guildingi
43. 
    Common name: Blue Linckia

    Scientific name: Linckia laevigata
44. 
    Common name: Blue Linckia Starfish

    Scientific name: Linckia multifora
45. Common name: Seven-armed starfish

    Scientific name: Luidia ciliaris
46. 
    Common name: seven armed sea star

    Scientific name: Luidia maculata
47. Common name: Variable Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Macrophiothrix variabilis
48. 
    Common name: spiny starfish

    Scientific name: Marthasterias glacialis
49. Common name: Bradley's Sea Star

    Scientific name: Mithrodia bradleyi
50. Common name: nail sea star

    Scientific name: Mithrodia clavigera
51. 
    Common name: Nardoa frianti

    Scientific name: Nardoa frianti
52. 
    Common name: Galathea Sea Star

    Scientific name: Nardoa galathea
53. 
    Common name: Brown Mesh Sea Star

    Scientific name: Nardoa galatheae
54. 
    Common name: Nardoa Starfish

    Scientific name: Nardoa novaecaledoniae
55. Common name: Rose Sea Star

    Scientific name: Nardoa rosea
56. Common name: Nardoa Tuberculata

    Scientific name: Nardoa tuberculata
57. 
    Common name: Blue Sea Star

    Scientific name: Neoferdina cumingi
58. 
    Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea Star

    Scientific name: Neoferdina glyptodisca
59. 
    Common name: Red Knob Sea Star

    Scientific name: Neoferdina insolita
60. Common name: Conspicuous Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Opheodesoma spectabilis
61. Common name: savigny's brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophiactis savignyi
62. 
    Common name: Green Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiarachna affinis
63. 
    Common name: Green Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiarachna incrassata
64. 
    Common name: purple seastar

    Scientific name: Ophidiaster ophidianus
65. 
    Common name: black brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophiocoma echinata
66. Common name: banded ophiocoma

    Scientific name: Ophiocoma pumila
67. 
    Common name: Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiocoma scolopendrina
68. 
    Common name: red ophiocoma

    Scientific name: Ophiocoma wendtii
69. Common name: harlequin brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophioderma appressa
70. Common name: Short-spined brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophioderma brevispina
71. Common name: Red Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophioderma phoenia
72. 
    Common name: ruby brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophioderma rubicunda
73. Common name: Banded Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiolepis superba
74. 
    Common name: black brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophiomastix variabilis
75. Common name: slimy brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophiomyxa flaccida
76. 
    Common name: Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophionereis porrecta
77. 
    Common name: Banded Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophionereis schayeri
78. 
    Common name: common brittlestar

    Scientific name: Ophiothrix fragilis
79. 
    Common name: Purple Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiothrix purpurea
80. 
    Common name: Sponge brittle star

    Scientific name: Ophiothrix suensoni
81. 
    Common name: Brittle Star

    Scientific name: Ophiura albida
82. 
    Common name: serpent star

    Scientific name: Ophiura ophiura
83. 
    Common name: red cushion sea star

    Scientific name: Oreaster reticulatus
84. Common name: Sohari Starfish

    Scientific name: Paraferdina sohariae
85. 
    Common name: Bat Star

    Scientific name: Patiria miniata
86. 
    Common name: Knobby Sea Star

    Scientific name: Pentaceraster mammillatus
87. 
    Common name: vermillion seastar

    Scientific name: Pentagonaster duebeni
88. 
    Common name: red cushion stat

    Scientific name: Porania pulvillus
89. 
    Common name: Red-knobbed Starfish

    Scientific name: Protoreaster lincki
90. 
    Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea Star

    Scientific name: Protoreaster nodosus
91. 
    Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea Star

    Scientific name: Tamaria stria
92. 
    Common name: Giant Sea Star

    Scientific name: Thromidia catalai
93. 
    Common name: Mottled Sea Star

    Scientific name: Tosia australis