How related are they?
Same superorder, Valvatacea (Biscuit stars, sand stars and kin): distant relatives
They split at the order level: the Sand Sifting Starfish belongs to Paxillosida (Burrowing sea stars), the Red Fromia Starfish to Valvatida (Cushion and biscuit stars).
Find the Sand Sifting Starfish on the tree · Find the Red Fromia 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 | Sand Sifting Starfish | Red Fromia 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 | Paxillosida Burrowing sea stars | Valvatida Cushion and biscuit stars |
| Family | Astropectinidae Comb stars | Goniasteridae Biscuit stars |
| Genus | Astropecten Sand stars | Fromia Fromia sea stars |
| Species | Astropecten polyacanthus Sand Sifting Starfish | Fromia milleporella Red Fromia Starfish |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Sand Sifting Starfish | Red Fromia Starfish |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Invertebrate · Starfish | Invertebrate · Starfish |
| Care level | Moderate | Moderate |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Favorite foods | Small clams and snails, swallowed whole, Worms, copepods and other sand-bed fauna, Detritus and biofilm on sand grains and pebbles | Biofilm and microscopic film algae on live rock, Microorganisms and fine detritus on rock surfaces |
| Max size | 11 in (27.9 cm) | 5.5 in (14 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 125 gal | 55 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 | 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). | 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. |
| Breeding | Not achieved | Not achieved |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |