Sand Sifting Starfish

Astropecten polycanthus

The Sand Sifting Starfish does not have suction cups on its feet, so it does not climb; instead, with the help of its spines, it moves over the sandy bottom of the ocean sifting through sand for food. The spines also enable it to burrow into the sand to hide or digest its food.

It is very active and effective at moving large amounts of sand as it searches for food. It does well in an aquarium setting if provided with a large, deep (several inches) sand bottom where it can feed and hide.