How related are they?
Same superorder, Valvatacea (Biscuit stars, sand stars and kin): distant relatives
They split at the order level: the Red Fromia Starfish belongs to Valvatida (Cushion and biscuit stars), the Sand Sifting Starfish to Paxillosida (Burrowing sea stars).
Find the Red Fromia Starfish on the tree · Find the Sand Sifting Starfish on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Red Fromia Starfish | Sand Sifting Starfish |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Echinodermata Echinoderms | |
| Subphylum | Asterozoa Sea stars and brittle stars | |
| Class | Asteroidea Sea stars | |
| Subclass | Ambuloasteroidea | |
| Infraclass | Neoasteroidea | |
| Superorder | Valvatacea Biscuit stars, sand stars and kin | |
| Order split | Valvatida Cushion and biscuit stars | Paxillosida Burrowing sea stars |
| Family | Goniasteridae Biscuit stars | Astropectinidae Comb stars |
| Genus | Fromia Fromia sea stars | Astropecten Sand stars |
| Species | Fromia milleporella Red Fromia Starfish | Astropecten polyacanthus Sand Sifting Starfish |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Red Fromia Starfish | Sand Sifting Starfish |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Invertebrate · Starfish | Invertebrate · Starfish |
| Care level | Moderate | Moderate |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Favorite foods | Biofilm and microscopic film algae on live rock, Microorganisms and fine detritus on rock surfaces | Small clams and snails, swallowed whole, Worms, copepods and other sand-bed fauna, Detritus and biofilm on sand grains and pebbles |
| Max size | 5.5 in (14 cm) | 11 in (27.9 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 125 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.024–1.026 | 1.024–1.026 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Lifespan | No published lifespan data were found. Most losses happen in the first weeks after import (shipping and acclimation stress) or months later from starvation in tanks without enough biofilm. | Wild lifespan unknown. In home aquariums most die within about a year, usually from starvation, unless kept in very large systems with a mature deep sand bed (Wet Web Media). |
| Breeding | Not achieved | Not achieved |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |