Sand Dollars

[Anonymous]

I've seen the dead skeletons. And I've done as much digging as my head can stand, but I still have Qs.

What are they?

Can they be kept in a reef tank?

Where would I find one?

 

[joejdsn]

there's a bunch of 'em at Pismo Beach. live ones too!

 

[Bryan Thompson]

To find the live ones walk out from the beach until you reach the sand bar. Then turn and walk a few steps back toward the beach. Right at the base of the upslope of the sand bar the sand will feel muddy. Dig your toes about 1-2" into the muck and slide them forward. You will find tons of them. CAUTION you will also find tons of other stuff. Giant hourseshoe crabs, crabs, snails, etc. This is the area with the highest concentration of food on the beach.


Once you find them, throw them back. They will eat all of your sand fauna and die.
Bryan

 

[fish tales]

They stay under the sand . You wont be able to see them very often.
Jeff

 

[Cruiser]

What are they?

They are echinoderms - related to starfish, urchins, etc. Think of them as flat starfish with no arms.

Can they be kept in a reef tank?

Generally, NO, they feed on the live fauna in the sandbed. Generally our tanks cannot support a sand dollar.

Where would I find one?

On the beach

!. Variety of species throughout both tropical & temperate waters.

Hope this helps