Red Starfish - Echinaster purpureus

The Red Starfish, also known as the Purple Sea Star, is a vibrant and hardy marine invertebrate prized for its striking red coloration and active grazing behavior. While peaceful, this starfish requires a mature reef system with abundant bacterial films and microfauna to thrive, making it moderately challenging to keep.

Description:

Common Names: Red Starfish, Purple Sea Star

Scientific Name: Echinaster purpureus

Family: Echinasteridae

Size: Up to 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Temperament: Peaceful

Difficulty: Moderate

Reef Safe: Yes

Native Region:

Found in the Western Atlantic, particularly along the eastern coast of North America, inhabiting shallow rocky reefs and sandy substrates.

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Minimum of 30 gallons

Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

pH: 8.0–8.4

Salinity: 1.023–1.025

Substrate: Sandy or rubble substrate with live rock; requires mature tanks with established bacterial films.

Additional Tips:

• Diet: Primarily consumes bacterial films and biofilm on live rock; will not reliably accept prepared foods.

• Behavior: Moves slowly over rocks and sand, grazing for microfauna.

• Tankmates: Compatible with peaceful reef inhabitants; avoid predatory crabs or aggressive species.

• Care: Moderate difficulty; requires well-established, mature aquariums with stable water conditions.