Rookie mistake?

I have had a sand sifting star for 15 months and wish that i had never added him. I actually enjoy him but admit that he has depleted my pod population. however, i stick by my statement that he does eat detritus. i only make this statement because i feel that the facts alone are enough to discourage someone from buying a sand sifting star. there is no need to exaggerate for effect. that is just a "pet peeve" of mine.

 

Thanks all - problem solved he is now back at the lfs. They did want to sell me a sand dollar I said no - and wanted to do some research first. Any thoughts?

Just fyi on the argument about what the starfish eats
this is what I observed
1. did eat detritus and dead algae
2. did clean the sand white
3 did not eat snails or hermit crabs
4. only came out at night
5. Did agitate the sand very well
Now I only had him for 24 hours - he did produce a huge amount of waste when I popped him into the bag to bring back to the lfs

They had 5 ssstarfish in 1 25 gal tank with 2 sand dollars - not sure how long he was there but must have had a huge meal in my tank.

 

I don't think sand dollars do too well, they stay buried from what I understand, and they probably deplete the sand bed just as much

 

One problem is there are dozens of different varieties sold as "sand sifting stars" but all are a bad choice. Most have the same diet and agin wil only eat detritus if thats all theer is, it is not their food of choice. Once it has depleted the live food it will scavenge until it starves and dies.

If the LFS is trying to sell you a sand dollar you might want to find another LFS, sounds like they are not too wise.

 

yea I agree - anyone keep sand dollars? They told me they only eat algae

 

Scroll down about 4 or 5 posts in this thread and read Bob Fenners take on sand dollars.
UrchinSysFAQs

 

A sand dollor will do poorly, no question there IMO. Sand stirring snails, tiger tail cucumber, and a few of the gobies are the best choices IMO.