Blue Linckia Starfish: Tell me about it
- Thread starter greymach
- Start date
ophiura
Active Member
The Blue Linckia is one of the most delicate and difficult seastars to keep. Most Linckia AND Fromia stars are not suitable for smaller systems. As a general rule, they need the following minimums:
- LARGE mature REEF tank (at least 100g, 6 months old, minimum)
- LOTS of surface area of LR, comparable, IMO to at least 150lbs of POROUS live rock.
- PRISTINE water parameters (really critical)
- Long acclimation
These stars CAN NOT in general be spot fed. It does not eat algae or detritus. It does not really eat "pods" in the sense say of a mandarin. They take on average 12 months to starve, and success can not be claimed before 18 months in a tank.
This star is definitely not suitable, IMO for your tank size. IMO none of the Linckia or Fromia stars - regardless of size - are well suited.
I would need to know more about your system, with particular reference to the above points, before completely ruling it out.
- LARGE mature REEF tank (at least 100g, 6 months old, minimum)
- LOTS of surface area of LR, comparable, IMO to at least 150lbs of POROUS live rock.
- PRISTINE water parameters (really critical)
- Long acclimation
These stars CAN NOT in general be spot fed. It does not eat algae or detritus. It does not really eat "pods" in the sense say of a mandarin. They take on average 12 months to starve, and success can not be claimed before 18 months in a tank.
This star is definitely not suitable, IMO for your tank size. IMO none of the Linckia or Fromia stars - regardless of size - are well suited.
I would need to know more about your system, with particular reference to the above points, before completely ruling it out.
greymach
Member
I plan on making a reef tank. Fish will be...Pair of clowns, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel, Firefish, maybe another one or two. Just small easy fish...
It would be nice if it done some sort of algae cleaning but I would like to have one more for just looks. I jsut htink it would be really cool to have a star. Maybe a serpent?
It would be nice if it done some sort of algae cleaning but I would like to have one more for just looks. I jsut htink it would be really cool to have a star. Maybe a serpent?
ophiura
Active Member
There are two basic options. Serpent/brittlestars are likely to do fine (avoid the green, a known predator).
The only reef safe star that **MIGHT** do OK once the tank is much more mature is Linckia multiflora. Others, including the tiny Fromia (don't be fooled!) need much larger systems. Linckia multiflora has been reported to do reasonably well in smaller systems such as yours.
The only reef safe star that **MIGHT** do OK once the tank is much more mature is Linckia multiflora. Others, including the tiny Fromia (don't be fooled!) need much larger systems. Linckia multiflora has been reported to do reasonably well in smaller systems such as yours.
ophiura
Active Member
The dalmation one is Linckia multiflora (see comments above).
Purple Linckia - similar to blue in many regards - sometimes a different species (Tamaria stria).
The brittlestar is actually quite common - the common name given is not. Typical brittlestar meaning it has been accused of everything from being a passive filter feeder (my experience) to being predatory. I suspect anything is possible
Purple Linckia - similar to blue in many regards - sometimes a different species (Tamaria stria).
The brittlestar is actually quite common - the common name given is not. Typical brittlestar meaning it has been accused of everything from being a passive filter feeder (my experience) to being predatory. I suspect anything is possible
ice4ice
Active Member
I do have one question regarding sea stars (or for those who prefer to call them starfish). What are your thoughts on the Marble Sea Star and the Double Sea Star. I know they grow to about 3 " (marble) and 5 " (double) and was wondering about whether they are good for a beginner in a reef tank.
ophiura
Active Member
IMO, no seastar is good for a beginner reef. The two mentioned (well, I definitely know what one is, the other - Marble - I am not sure of what that one is) are not good choices. The double star, Iconaster, is rarely seen in the hobby and probably for good reason.
All reef safe seastars (not including brittlestars) basically need the requirements above of a large mature reef tank, lots of LR, pristine conditions, long acclimation. It is the common thread for sure. So I would need to know more about the system before saying any more
All reef safe seastars (not including brittlestars) basically need the requirements above of a large mature reef tank, lots of LR, pristine conditions, long acclimation. It is the common thread for sure. So I would need to know more about the system before saying any more
ophiura
Active Member
Yes, small fish and shrimp. Not all will do this, but it is possible. Never let them scavenge - always spot feed them - though this may not prevent predation. I have 3 very large green brittlestars (and several other species) in my 45g tank. I have a sixline in there and they so far haven't been an issue. I am missing a cleaner shrimp and a clown goby, but the clown goby went missing almost immediately after introduction (meaning, it could just as easily have died). The shrimp? who knows.
ice4ice
Active Member
I haven't got a SW tank set-up yet but was doing a livestock list for a future 46G BF tank (FOWLR consisting of beginner corals, pair of O. Clowns, Coral Beauty angel, Goby, Jeweled Blenny, & a cleaner shrimp) and the last inverts I was unsure of adding were the Marble Starfish or the Double Star sea star. Another reason is because of their long acclimation process.