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Starfish

(5 items)

Explore our selection of Saltwater Aquarium Starfish, carefully chosen to bring unique beauty and ecological balance to your marine tank. From the popular Red Serpent stars to Brittle stars and Linckia stars, each species offers distinct patterns, colors, and behaviors to enhance your aquarium. These starfish not only add visual appeal but also help keep your tank healthy by scavenging and supporting a balanced ecosystem. Browse our resilient starfish options to add a fascinating, natural touch to your saltwater setup.

Top Saltwater Starfish

Micro Brittle Starfish - Sustainably Aquacultured 5 Pack
Micro Brittle Starfish - Sustainably Aquacultured
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Sand Sifting Starfish
Sand Sifting Starfish
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Chocolate Chip Starfish
Chocolate Chip Starfish
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Orange Linckia Starfish
Orange Linckia Starfish
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Price
Price
$3499
$2999
$1699
$5999
Description
Description
Tiny nocturnal scavengers that hide in rock crevices by day and emerge at night to consume detritus and leftover food. Completely reef‑safe and self‑sustaining, they boost bio‑diversity without adding to the bioload.
Burrows through the substrate, stirring and oxygenating sand while consuming waste and uneaten food. Reef‑safe but best for tanks with a deep, established sandbed, as it can quickly deplete micro‑fauna in smaller systems.
Recognizable by its brown “chocolate chip” knobs, this hardy starfish is not reef‑safe and will prey on corals and sessile invertebrates. Ideal for larger fish‑only setups where it can be target‑fed meaty foods.
Bright orange and peaceful, the Orange Linckia adds vibrant color to reef tanks yet requires pristine water and ample live rock for grazing. Sensitive to rapid changes—acclimate slowly and handle with care.

Dive Deeper: Info & Tips for Saltwater Starfish

Starfish are echinoderms and highly sensitive to changes in water chemistry. They require mature, stable aquariums with consistent salinity, low nitrates, and plenty of surface area to explore. Some species, like brittle stars, are more resilient and active at night, while others, like Linckia and sand sifters, spend their time gliding over rock and sand in search of food.

Avoid copper treatments and aggressive tankmates, as starfish are delicate and can be injured easily. It’s also important to acclimate them slowly using a drip method to prevent shock.

Top Saltwater Starfish

Brittle Starfish – Fast-moving, flexible stars that hide in rockwork during the day and scavenge at night. Hardy and excellent for detritus control.

Sand Sifting Starfish – Known for burrowing through substrate to feed. Helps keep sand beds clean and oxygenated.

Chocolate Chip Starfish – A bold, eye-catching species with textured projections. Not reef safe—best suited for fish-only tanks.

Orange Linckia Starfish – A peaceful and striking star with bright orange coloration. Needs a mature tank and lots of surface area.

Serpent Starfish – Closely related to brittle stars but with smoother arms. Fast, shy, and efficient scavengers.

Ideal Parameter Range

Salinity: 1.024–1.026
Temperature: 75–78°F
pH: 8.1–8.4
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: <10 ppm
Calcium: 420–450 ppm
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Setting Up an Aquarium for Saltwater Starfish

Starfish do best in well-established aquariums with stable water parameters and minimal fluctuation. Provide plenty of live rock, sandy substrate, and hiding spots for more reclusive species. Some stars are nocturnal, so monitor their movement over time to ensure they’re active and feeding.

Avoid tanks with aggressive fish, copper medication, or rough-handling inverts. Starfish may lose limbs or deteriorate quickly if stressed or placed in a new tank too soon.

Feeding Saltwater Starfish

While some starfish consume detritus and uneaten food, others require more targeted feeding. Chocolate Chip and Linckia Starfish may benefit from small pieces of meaty foods placed near them.

Brittle stars and serpent stars scavenge naturally and usually do not need supplemental feeding in well-stocked tanks. However, they’ll readily accept mysis, pellet food, or frozen blends offered near their hiding spot.

Why Buy Starfish from Top Shelf Aquatics?

Our starfish are carefully acclimated, observed, and selected for health and hardiness. Each specimen is monitored to ensure it’s active, intact, and ready to thrive in your aquarium.

We focus on offering a mix of functional and ornamental starfish to suit every type of saltwater setup, from FOWLR tanks to full reefs.

Saltwater Starfish FAQs

Are starfish reef safe?

Most are, but some—like Chocolate Chip Starfish—are not safe with corals or inverts.

Do starfish need to be fed?

Many scavenge naturally, but species like Linckia or Chocolate Chip may need supplemental feeding depending on tank conditions.

How long do starfish live?

With proper care, many live for several years in a stable saltwater aquarium.

Are starfish hard to keep?

Some, like brittle stars, are hardy. Others, like Linckia, are sensitive and need a mature, well-balanced system.

Can I keep more than one starfish?

Yes, if your tank is large and nutrient-rich enough to support them. Avoid mixing too many that share the same diet or behavior.