help from starfish experts

socalracer

Member
well my red linkia died yesterday and i was wondering what could i do to successfully keep a starfish. i really like the linkia species. i have a 100g tank that has been up for around 9 months with about 65lbs of LR (plan on adding about 25 more lbs within 2 months. o i had this starfish for about 3 months maybe a little longer.
 

d0 thy d3w

Member
yup..i dont know why u would be flamed..but also i dont know a whole lot about stars..wait for ophiura to come along..shes really smart when it comes to starfish!
 

puffer32

Active Member
Linka need more LR, over 100 lbs, and pristine water conditions. The tank should be set up for a yr. So if you add the new rock please wait awhile for it to establish before getting another one. I have mine in a 150 with 175 lbs of LR.
 

ninjamini

Active Member
Sorry flogging is what they used to to on a ship. Its like getting whipped but it has many leather straps....o you get the idea.
Linka dont do well in captivity. At least thats what I read here at swf.com. Even with 100lbs of LR and great water they still rarely make it past the 1 year mark. Most die in 30 days if they were acclimated wrong or 90 days if the tank is inappropriate. It is considered great if they last a year in a tank. Few make it further than that because they slowly starve.
Opheria is that one you want to talk to. She knows everything, well as much as anybody else.
 

socalracer

Member
ya i heard linkia don't do well either(after i bought mine) but i really like their look do any of them do better such as the blue linkia etc...? also any similiar looking stars?
 

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by socalracer
well my red linkia died yesterday and i was wondering what could i do to successfully keep a starfish. i really like the linkia species. i have a 100g tank that has been up for around 9 months with about 65lbs of LR (plan on adding about 25 more lbs within 2 months. o i had this starfish for about 3 months maybe a little longer.

Can you please provide your specific tank parameters?
You do not realistically have enough live rock at this time for Linckia (or Fromia stars- which is the one that died). I would strongly recommend much more LR, and waiting for the tank to mature. I personally would aim for at least 100lbs of POROUS live rock as surface area is critical for these stars. If you get to 100lbs, you may have enough for an orange Linckia or mottled Linckia. To keep a blue Linckia, you would need, IMO, a minimum of 150lbs to start.
In addition, they all require very specific water parameters, so we must review those.
 

socalracer

Member
ok... will test my parameters but in the mean time what stars wil be alright in these less then perfect conditions? and do they eat algae or...?
 

ophiura

Active Member
None will be alright. They do not eat algae. Seastars are some of the most delicate animals we can keep. None can be kept in substandard conditions.
 
Top