Florida Sand Sifting Starfish

Sustainably Harvested

Excellent Bio filtration

Fast and Fresh Delivery

TAMPA BAY SALTWATER Critter

Starfish are an add-on item for air cargo orders.

$22.00

Out of stock

Astropecten polyacanthus

Florida collected starfish are excellent scavengers of detritus and leftover fish food. They will peaceably live under the sand undetected.

The Gulf of Mexico has a clean-up crew and so should you!

Keep It Clean Folks! Add critters to your order.

TBS is the oldest working aquaculture Live Rock Farm. The site is located in the nutrient rich water off Tarpon Springs known as the Sponge Captial of the world. Harvested with care, our Living Rock and Live Sand always travel submerged to preserve life forms vital for your aquarium's health.

Now You Sea It!

Sustainably Ocean Harvested

Detritus Eating Omnivore

Preferred for tanks over 50 Gallons

Deep Sand Bed Required 2″+

Established Tanks Only

Easy Keeper

3″ – 5″

Florida Sand Sifting Starfish

Excellent under the surface cleaners and substrate aerators. They require larger tanks with a sandy bottom 2″+. Sand sifters disappear into the sand bed seeking out detritus or leftover foods. Rarely in view, they will surface when hungry and sense food in the water column. These peaceful members of a large tank clean-up crew are not safe with predator fish.

Sand Sifters are beige.

We recommend 1 per 50 gallons +.

*This product is an add-on for air cargo orders.

There is Nothing like Ocean Aquacultured Live Rock

TBS Live Rocks are a visual feast of shapes, sizes, and colors. Bahamian, Philippine, Trinidad, Florida quarried, vintage Pukani and reef friendly Walt Smith are found on the lease site. Walt Smith Reef Rock is the predominate foundation rock chosen for its sustainability, for its ability to attract and host life, and for its easily stackable unique shapes.

Live Rock will not only provide a natural looking environment for your inhabitants but provide a variety of unseen health benefits. Beneficial nitrifying bacteria helps process ammonia and work as a natural biological filter. Tiny holes and crevasses provide a refuge for microscopic critters like pods, filter feeders and other invertebrates to multiply.

We plant and harvest TBS live rock by hand. From receiving to shipping, each piece is handled with care. Rocks are selected on the ocean bottom and carefully loaded in mesh baskets where they are hauled up to the boat. They are inspected and placed in seawater filled barrels for the boat ride in. The fully submerged rock arrives at the warehouse and is placed in large holding systems filled with natural sea water. Moderate lighting is provided to maintain life forms until it is then shipped within 3-14 days.

Examples of the Live Critters Found on our Live Rock

Mantis Shrimp

Excuse for Species Only Tank!

Porcelain Crab

Friendly Freebie

Black Tunicates

Friendly Freebie

How Shipping Works

Most orders ship within 1 week. That’s fast & fresh delivery!

Sea

01

First, we venture out on the high seas aboard the workboat, Orion, for harvesting the underwater farm. There we seek the highest quality sand & rock for our customers. Onboard, rock and sand are transported fully submerged to the warehouse holding system. Inventory moves quickly, so harvesting is frequent. We do our best to keep all products in stock and ready to move. Keep in mind, that offshore diving is a weather dependent activity where our safety is priority.

After placing an order, we will reach out via email to schedule the date for air cargo delivery or bumpy road arrival. This is the time to confirm your aquarium is functioning and it is ready to provide life support. Good communication is vital for both of us, email provides a detailed record so we’re on the same page before the anchor drops. We aren’t Amazon, but we are fast.

Schedule

02 Air

03

Air cargo is our favorite way to move submerged live rock across the country. It is fast, safe and cost effective. After tendering your boxes at Tampa International Airport, you will receive tracking details to follow your shipment and know when to pick up. Flight fees vary depending on airline and airport location.

Small orders ship flat rate UPS. They arrive at your door a day after they are packed. Specific products that fit this box size are categorized as “Treasure Chests”. You will receive tracking information for your order via email. Flat rate shipping is charged at checkout. Please be home to receive these perishable items. Shipping is weather dependent.

Land

04 Delivery

05

WooHoo, it is the BIG day! Are you ready to get your hands wet? Is your aquarium prepared to sustain life? Put on some clean gloves and crack open the box. Prepare yourself for the smell of fresh ocean harvested products handled and packaged with great care. It is an honor to provide natural products sustainably harvested to benefit the health of your marine system.

Sustainably Harvested

Excellent Bio filtration

Fast and Fresh Delivery

TAMPA BAY SALTWATER Critter