Common name: Royal Starfish

Scientific name: Astropecten aranciacus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Orange Comb Starfish under water - Astropecten sp.Astropecten Aranciacus Starfish
Underwater image of Mediterranean sand sea-star

General information

The Royal Starfish, scientifically known as Astropecten aranciacus, is a striking species of sea star native to the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic coasts. It is easily recognizable by its vibrant orange or red coloration and the distinctive pattern of white marginal plates along the tips of its arms. This species typically has five arms, although specimens with more due to regeneration can occasionally be found.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Carnivore Feeds on benthic invertebrates.
Reefsafe
No May consume small inverts.
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Echinoderms
    Echinodermata
  3. Class
    Starfish
    Asteroidea
  4. Order
    Sand Stars
    Paxillosida
  5. Family
    Sand Sifting Starfish
    Astropectinidae
  6. Genus
    Sand Sifting Starfish
    Astropecten
  7. Species
    Royal Starfish
    Astropecten aranciacus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  8. Synonyms
    Asterias aranciaca Linnaeus, 1758
    Asterias aurantiaca Tiedemann, 1816
    Astropecten antarcticus Studer, 1876
    Astropecten aurantiaca Gray, 1840
    Astropecten crenaster Dujardin & Hupé, 1862
    Astropecten meridionalis Studer, 1876
    Astropecten perarmatus Perrier, 1869

Care

In the aquarium, Royal Starfish require a well-established sand bed where they can hunt for their natural prey, which includes mollusks and small invertebrates. They are sensitive to water quality and require stable conditions with low levels of nitrates and phosphates. Care should be taken to ensure that tank mates are not aggressive towards echinoderms.

Reproduction

Astropecten aranciacus reproduces by releasing eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs externally. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but with optimal conditions, it is possible to observe spawning behavior.

Habitat

This sea star is commonly found in sandy and muddy substrates, often partially buried. They are adapted to a range of depths, from shallow waters to depths of over 100 meters. Their habitat choice reflects their feeding habits, as they are active predators of benthic invertebrates.