Hitchiker.. plz identify this star

N

n_sarno

Guest
I am upgrading to a 75 gallon tank so I went and got some more LR and put it in my 29 temporarily.. and then I just went and looked - the tank and 2 my suprize I saw this STAR!!! It looks to be some sort of a linkia however I dont know much about stars.. It has 6 legs.. and one of them looks like it has fallen off before and is growing back.. Anyway I was wondering if someone could identify it and let me know if this will be ok in my 75 gallon tank w/ about 65 lbs of LR for now.. but eventually close 2 100 LBS
Thanks
 
alyssia

alyssia

Active Member
I think it kind of looks like a multiflora linckia but I am by NO means an expert. Hopefully Ophiura will see this.
Congrats, by the way! I never get any cool hitchers!!!
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
Me either.. this is a first... its like hitting the lotto!!!
 
lemonpeel2

lemonpeel2

Member
It kinda looks like a Tamarisk Sea Star(Tamaria sp.), and from what I can see that star has six legs, and Tamarisks sometimes can have six legs. And if it is a Tamarisk, they are very reef safe, so it should be fine in your tank.
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
I did a search for the Tamarisk Sea Star and I believe it is it.. but wouldnt mind more opinions!
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
It is not Tamaria, IMO, commonly the "purple Linckia" which typically has a deep purple color and orange tube feet...I think it is either Echinaster luzonicus or a very dark Linckia multiflora. Echinaster luzonicus typically frequently has six arms and is called the "burgundy" Linckia. THat is what I am leaning towards.
....update...after looking at a few photos to be sure I am quite comfortable with Echinaster luzonicus.
Once you get more toward the 100lb mark on the LR you may be OK with it.
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
Ok.. in any case.. Ophiura.. will it be ok in my 75 gallon tank? Also will it be reef safe?!
 
alyssia

alyssia

Active Member
If it's a linckia it is reef safe. I would also say it will be okay in a 75 gallon with 100 lbs LR.How long has your tank been set up? What are your parameters? What is your sg?
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
well currently its in a 29.. im combing my 2 29 gallon tanks.. into a 75 gallon.. the one reef has been up for probably 6 monhs and the other about 3 1/2..
everything is great except nitrates are a little high... like 40ish
Temp is 80
SG is 1.030
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
Yea.. I have a refractometer I bought off the famous auction site.. it goes from 1.000 to 1.070.. it comes up at 1.030 when I do it..
 
tim_12

tim_12

Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
1.030 is quite high...very high.
I agree. 1.026 - 1.027 at the most. Those nitrates need to come down a lot too. In any case, nice hitchhicker. Good luck with it.
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
You know what.. it was off.. somehow it got unzeroed or w/e.. its 1.025
I should still probably bring it down some though huh?
What could this be due to.. evaporation? I dont always top off w/ just RO.. sometimes I do salt top offs..
Should I add a little bit of RO everyday or something to bring it down some?
 
N

n_sarno

Guest
See.. I never knew that.. thanks for the info.. I'll keep that in mind.
 
alyssia

alyssia

Active Member
Do NOT bring it down or you will kill the star! I have a linckia in my reef and I keep it at 1.026. You should always top off with FW on a regular basis to keep your salinity stable.
Stars need a salinity of 1.025-1.026!!
 
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