{"product_id":"rough-starfish","title":"Rough Starfish | Asteroidea spp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Rough Sea Star is a hardy, textured star that works its way across rock and sand grazing detritus, biofilm and leftovers. Sold as a mixed, wild-collected star, it makes a useful and characterful clean-up crew member for established systems, though — as with any sea star — it rewards a mature tank and a patient, careful keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese sea stars are collected from tropical Indo-Pacific reefs and rubble zones, where they roam live rock and sandy patches feeding on the film of organic life coating hard surfaces. A mature reef with plenty of seasoned live rock and an established population of microfauna best mimics their natural larder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA five-armed star with a distinctly rough, granular or beaded upper surface, typically in mottled browns, tans, reds and cream that provide natural camouflage. Because these are supplied as a general \"rough star\", exact colour and pattern vary from specimen to specimen, and most reach around 10–15 cm across.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlow-moving and peaceful toward fish, but its precise diet depends on the species supplied. Most are harmless detritus-feeders, but some rough stars will opportunistically take small snails, clams or sessile invertebrates, so it is best treated as reef safe with caution and watched around prized small inverts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a detritivore and scavenger, feeding on detritus, biofilm, microfauna and leftover food across the rock and sand. It cannot be relied upon to spot-feed, so a mature, biologically rich tank is essential; the most common cause of loss is slow starvation in a system that is too clean or too new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep only in a mature, stable reef of at least 190 litres with excellent, unchanging water quality. Sea stars are extremely sensitive to shifts in salinity, temperature and pH, so acclimatise very slowly — drip-acclimate over at least an hour, ideally two, and never lift the animal out into the air. Like all invertebrates it is intolerant of copper. Watch for white lesions or disintegrating tissue, which signal stress or poor acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese sea stars are broadcast spawners and are not bred in the home aquarium; their larvae require planktonic culture beyond a normal reef setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAsteroidea spp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRough Sea Star, Rough Starfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Indo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–15 cm across\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e190 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDetritivore\/scavenger – detritus, biofilm \u0026amp; microfauna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, stable reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution – some individuals may take small snails or clams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest with peaceful reef fish, shrimp and corals in a settled system with abundant live rock and a good detritus supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarlequin shrimp (which prey on sea stars), pufferfish, triggerfish and large hawkfish, plus prized miniature snails or clams if you want to be cautious, and newly set-up or unstable tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian marine livestock for in-store collection or local delivery. Drip-acclimate all new invertebrates and never expose them to copper-based medications.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900340515,"sku":"AA3430-S","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234109833507,"sku":"AA3430","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351900373283,"sku":"AA3430-L","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/rough-starfish-43078815023395.webp?v=1790305594","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rough-starfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}