Family
Common name: Sand Sifting Sea Stars
Scientific name: Luidiidae
The Luidiidae family, commonly known as Sand Sifting or Comb Sea Stars, includes species well-adapted to life on the sandy sea floor. Members of this family are characterized by their elongated, flexible arms which they use to sift through the substrate for organic matter. In the aquarium, they can be beneficial by aerating the sand and consuming detritus. However, they may deplete the sand of microfauna, so it's important to monitor their impact on the sand bed's ecosystem. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with many reef inhabitants.