Genus

Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish

Scientific name: Astropecten

Astropecten is a genus of starfish found in shallow waters and known for their ability to sift through sand, hence the common name 'Sand Sifting Starfish'. They play a beneficial role in reef aquariums by consuming detritus and uneaten food, helping to maintain a clean substrate. These starfish have a distinctive appearance with a central disc and long, slender arms fringed with small spines or 'combs', which aid in their burrowing behavior. They are generally hardy but should be introduced to established tanks with a mature sand bed to ensure they have enough food to thrive.

  1. Common name: Anderson's Sand Star
    Scientific name: Astropecten andersoni
  2. Red Comb Starfish (Astropecten aranciacus)
    Common name: Red Comb Starfish
    Scientific name: Astropecten aranciacus
  3. Giovane esemplare di stella marina, Astropecten bispinosus, tra la sabbia
    Common name: Bispinosus Sand Star
    Scientific name: Astropecten bispinosus
  4. Sand Sifting Sea Star - (Astropecten polycanthus)
    Common name: Sand Sifting Starfish
    Scientific name: Astropecten jonstoni
  5. Astropecten spiny sea star on silty bottom
    Common name: comb star
    Scientific name: Astropecten polyacanthus
  6. Mediterranean Sea Sand Starfish (Astropecten spinulosus)
    Common name: Sea Sand Starfish
    Scientific name: Astropecten spinulosus