Mating Sand Sifting Stars?

John Hamilton · 05-09-2006, 09:03 PM

My two Stars, not adult film, are laying on top of each other like a couple of teenagers at home alone. I assume they are mating. Has anyone else witnessed this and is it possible to procreate in a tank?

greenbean36191 · 05-09-2006, 11:10 PM

Yep, they are trying to reproduce. Nothing will come of it though, the larvae are too fragile to make it in your tank and there isn't enough food for them anyway.

**The R/C Man** · 05-11-2006, 08:51 PM

Personally, I have no idea wether or not that is what they are doing. Sounds like something you should research.... It would be interesting to find out the particulars. As greenbean mentioned, many repoduction events that take place in our glass boxes fail for just that reason. However, with a refuge and the proper food maybe it could work.

greenbean36191 · 05-11-2006, 11:13 PM

Sand sifting stars are pseudocopulating, external fertilizers. They "mount" each other to get their gonads close together and increase the chances of fertilization, but they still release their gametes into the water to meet up.

**The R/C Man** · 05-12-2006, 06:55 AM

Great info! Thanks!

05-09-2006, 09:03 PM	#1
John Hamilton Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston TX. Posts: 232	Mating Sand Sifting Stars? My two Stars, not adult film, are laying on top of each other like a couple of teenagers at home alone. I assume they are mating. Has anyone else witnessed this and is it possible to procreate in a tank? __________________ Leash and Litter

05-09-2006, 11:10 PM	#2
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	Yep, they are trying to reproduce. Nothing will come of it though, the larvae are too fragile to make it in your tank and there isn't enough food for them anyway. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

05-11-2006, 08:51 PM	#3
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 691	Personally, I have no idea wether or not that is what they are doing. Sounds like something you should research.... It would be interesting to find out the particulars. As greenbean mentioned, many repoduction events that take place in our glass boxes fail for just that reason. However, with a refuge and the proper food maybe it could work. __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

05-11-2006, 11:13 PM	#4
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	Sand sifting stars are pseudocopulating, external fertilizers. They "mount" each other to get their gonads close together and increase the chances of fertilization, but they still release their gametes into the water to meet up. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

05-12-2006, 06:55 AM	#5
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 691	Great info! Thanks! __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

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