Sand Sea Star (Archaster typicus)

The Sand Sea Star Archaster typicus is a patterned sea star that comes in a variety of brown and gray shades on each of its five arms, in a pattern of alternating bands of color. It will add immediate interest to your aquarium. Like other sea stars, it consumes detritus and uneaten foods, helping to keep your aquarium clean.

A sand sifter, it will burrow into the substrate in search of food. As such, it should be kept in an aquarium with a sand substrate and should not be housed with Triggerfish or Pufferfish. Like other invertebrates, it is sensitive to sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity, and pH and cannot tolerate copper based medications. To successfully acclimate new specimens to your aquarium, use the drip acclimation method and never expose it to air while handling.

To supplement its foraging diet, it can be fed spirulina and zooplankton.

Approximate purchase size: 3” to 5”

Care details

• Temperature: 72 - 78° F
• dKH: 8 - 12
• Specific Gravity: 1.023-1.025
• Color: Brown and Gray
• Family: Archasteridae
• Diet: Carnivore