How to Acclimate a Starfish to a Saltwater Tank

Starfish are echinoderms that can be found in bodies of saltwater all over the world. However, as the hobby of owning saltwater tanks has grown among aquarium enthusiasts, these once hard-to-find creatures are common in saltwater tanks and easy to find in pet stores.



Starfish have become beautiful and vital creatures in many reef aquariums because they help keep tanks clean by feeding on waste and organic matter. Because of their food source, starfish do best when they are introduced to tanks with other aquatic dwellers. Like other saltwater creatures that may share their new environments, starfish can be sensitive to adjusting to new tanks. Therefore, steps must be followed to acclimate starfish to saltwater aquariums.

Things You'll Need

  • Established aquarium
  • Various fish and aquatic animals
  • Starfish food
  • Starfish
  • Plastic container
  • Plastic tubing
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Start by having a well-established saltwater aquarium. Because starfish feed off the waste and debris of other fish, they need to be in a tank that has plenty of other aquatic life. They also need rocks to feed from, and to hide under. Aquariums with reefs offer the best environments for starfish.

    • 2
      The Blue Linckia Star is a good choice for saltwater aquariums.

      Choose the type of starfish that is best for your aquarium. Some starfish are too aggressive for most tanks, and will eat coral, some types of fish and other beneficial reef dwellers. The best types will help clean the rocks and sand in the tank, and benefit the balance of the tank by eating waste, decay and excess food.

      Look for the Sand Sifting Star, Blue Linckia Star, Chocolate Chip Star, Serpent Star and Brittle Star for your saltwater tank.

    • 3

      Turn the light off in your aquarium, and dim the lights in the room when you bring your starfish home.

    • 4

      Put the unopened bag in the aquarium and allow it to float for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps to slowly balance the water temperatures so the starfish can adjust easily.

    • 5

      Use a clean, plastic holding container to put the starfish and its water in while you siphon water from the aquarium. Plastic tubing will work.

    • 6

      Allow water to drip into the container from the aquarium at a rate if one to three drops per second, then double the amount of drips after 45 to 60 minutes.

    • 7

      Discard half of the water from the holding container and repeat the dripping process two more times.

    • 8

      Put the starfish into your aquarium using new, powder-free latex gloves. Be careful not to expose the starfish to air for more than a few seconds as you place it into the tank.

    • 9

      Watch your starfish closely for the next few days to be sure that it is thriving in its new environment.