How to Take Care of a Starfish

Starfish are saltwater animals known for their vibrant colors, vastly different appearances from each other by species and the ability to regenerate when they lose an arm. For years, marine aquarium enthusiasts have wanted to add them to their systems, but as starfish demand excellent water quality and a reef tank setting, most systems are unable to sustain them. Now, with reef tanks being commonplace, starfish have entered the market with great force.

Acclimate your starfish by dimming the lights and floating the bag the starfish comes in from the aquarium store for several minutes to adjust the temperature of the water to the tank.

Add about a quarter cup of tank water to bag every three minutes until you reach roughly 3 cups.

Remove starfish from the bag using your freshly rinsed hand (without soap) or net. Place the starfish into the tank being sure not to introduce water from the bag.

Wait a few minutes then return light to its normal strength.

Observe the starfish making sure that no fish are attempting to chew on it.

Do not attempt to feed your starfish, which will receive nutrients by sifting through the sand. The presence of established sand is a requirement in successfully keeping them.

Vacuum only one half of the tank's sand when doing monthly maintenance. Vacuuming the entire tank will remove too many nutrients, and the starfish will die.

Take water into a reputable aquarium store once monthly (most will do complete testing for free) to ensure it is within the range for starfish (the aquarium store will be able to tell you).

Replace any live stock or rock you have lost with new live stock. Without them, there will not be enough nutrients in the sand to sustain the starfish's life.

Monitor the activity of the fish in your aquarium. Fish such as triggers will eat starfish.