Red reef star?

finn-a-gin

Member
This is all that was listed. I am looking to purchase this but the care is not quite clear.
It looks like a linkia but is called a red reef star.
Any ideas? Is there another name?
Thanks for the help, i'll try to find a way to post a photo.
Finns
 

ophiura

Active Member
Well, a picture is really necessary. There are a lot of things that fit that description. It is quite possibly a Fromia, which has a very poor survival record in captivity. I see you have a large tank, which is extremely important. Don't let the small size fool you...it will need every inch of rock in a mature large reef tank (at least 6 months old). They will nearly always refuse any spot feeding. Acclimation is critical, similar to that for Linckia stars.
 
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ivanfj

Guest

Originally posted by finn-a-gin
Here is the photo off of the site that has the star fish for sale.

I got one from the same site that you are referring to, so I guess I am perfect for your reference. I'll say go for it. I got mine about 2 weeks back and I acclimated him for over 3 hours. He's now going all over the place in my tank and always stays in the open. Very nice color too. Here's mine:
 
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ivanfj

Guest
Well, there's not many canadian base online fish store out there, so it wasn't that hard to guess.
BTW, the dragon moray is awesome. :happy:
 

ophiura

Active Member
Hold on please!
First, these animals do not generally die quickly. They can take a month to die from acclimation shock and the tend to starve to death in about 9-12 months. They ONLY FEED ON LR and not on "algae" in the sense we think of...don't hope you get the exception that will take to spot feeding. I am not as worried in the 140...assuming it is a mature reef tank (6 months old with lots of LR), with pristine water parameters (1.025-1.026 specific gravity as well). That is a nice tank again assuming there is lots of LR.
PLEASE do not encourage anyone to put one in their tank because it hasn't died in 2 weeks! Assuming that it is in a 20g nano, it will almost certainly die of starvation, unless it is one of the few that does respond to direct spot feeding. This should not be an impulse purchase. Any Linckia related star (including Fromia) requires some serious research in care and acclimation!
The larger picture is generally called an "orange Linckia" (though it is quite probably not a Linckia but a relative)...the "red reef star" is typically a similar shape, but has hint of a black tip to the arm. This is a Fromia star, and if there is one that is a more finicky eater than a Linckia, that might well win the contest.
 

finn-a-gin

Member
Thanks for the replies.
Ophiura:
I have 160# of live rock,tank has been up for about 9 months.
I will take your advice and do abit more research before i purchase( if i do )
Again, thanks for the heads up.
IVANFJ:
The dragon moray is awesome, but $1700 is too steep for me.
Thanks to all,
Finns
 

ophiura

Active Member
Your tank sounds quite good for a Linckia species star! It is always hit or miss (as some don't do well with shipping) but you have a good home for one! :) On a very general scale of very relative "toughness" Linckia multiflora is the "hardiest" followed by (as a group) orange, purple and burgundy forms with the blue being the most "delicate." Up there with the blues are the Fromia species stars.
 
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