Starfish Question

[fisherson]

I obtained a linkia/fromia not really sure. And he had one leg larger than the other due to him forming from a leg that had fallen off another starfish. well half of this leg has fallen off of him. Just wondering if it will form into another full starfish because it walks around and climbs the glass. Anyone know how long this takes? It's been one leg walking around for quite some time now.

 

[ophiura]

How long have you had it?

 

[fisherson]

well when we got it one of his legs was twice as big as the others. and that's the leg that lost a peice. It happened about 2 weeks after we got him and i've had him for about 3 months.

 

[pilar]

Does anyone know how long a detached starfish limb will take to regenerate itself? If the starfish is actually reproducing, I'm curious how long it would take for a new starfish to form. Any ideas?

 

[ophiura]

It depends on the species and the reasons it lost the arm. It also depends on conditions in the tank.
If it is a brittlestar or sand sifter star it will never regenerate.
If it is a Linckia it may take several months to years, IMO.
What size tank do you have? How much LR? What kind of star? How long have you had it?

 

[tonester]

The starfish is a Orange Linka, it seems that the starfish removed it itself. Have had the starfish for about 2 months now. 55 gallon tank and 75lbs of LR

 

[jakebtc]

my brittle star was just that brittle he broke himself apart climbing throughout my rock work. hearing the story of stars regenerating I was hoping I'd have a few but I was dissapointed now I know why

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by jakebtc
my brittle star was just that brittle he broke himself apart climbing throughout my rock work. hearing the story of stars regenerating I was hoping I'd have a few but I was dissapointed now I know why

I definitely don't think he broke himself apart. They can get through very very tight spaces due to an amazing tissue type they have. It is more likely it was an acclimation, water quality or predation issue.
Tonester (awesome avatar!!) - When did the arm come off versus when you added it? I would have been happier if you said "I've had the star 2 years and the arm came off " In this time frame it can still be something else...but if it has not continued to deteriorate since it lost the arm that at least is a good sign. Due to the relatively small size of the system it may not be possible to sustain the growth of another Linckia, in which case the arm may not do much...have both "healed" the wound or is it still open.

 

[fisherson]

i was gonna make a new post on starfish but i just bought a peice or LR the other day and got another starfish..but i don't know if it's a linkia/fromia anymore... only cause i can't find pics of them as this coloration
I don't have my digi so i'll explain the best i can.
it's main coloration is a light greenish. ontop of the greenish color it has like a tan/brown camo/army pattern...any ideas on what it is?
It also has little bumps covering the body.
This one also has one massive leg 1 inch long while the other 4 legs are 1/4th of an inch.

 

[fisherson]

this starfish is the same as the one i originally posted on. Both have one HUGE leg in comparison to the rest.

 

[ophiura]

Do a search for Asterina.
Is it a small star?
Fromia stars are very unlikely both to be hitch hikers or be regenerating in such a way.

 

[fisherson]

well i DID get an asterina but i found that info myself which i'm sure you posted haha.
these stars are bigger. The bigger one is about 2 inches from tip to tip of it's legs.the smaller one has the 1 inch leg with the 1/4 inch legs and is seems the legs are more seprated from the main body than the asterina.(as in less of a webbing connecting the legs as like the skine between your fingers..if that makes sence,,haha)

 

[ophiura]

Hmmm.. without a picture hard to know...but there are lots and lots of species of Asterina so number of legs and coloration, etc, aren't good characters to use to separate them.

 

[fisherson]

thanks for the help i'll do my best to get a pic or find one i've posted before.

 

[fisherson]

Here it is!!!!!

 

[ophiura]

Whoa whoa whoa....did you get this as a hitch hiker?!?!?
I need to know all you can tell me my friend

YOU are the lucky owner of a Linckia multiflora, one of the "hardiest" of Linckia...and I have heard it come as a hitch hiker once before (an indication of how relatively tough it is).
Known to "arm drop" even in smaller systems (though still with loads of LR) this is my top suggested Linckia star

 

[fisherson]

yes i got both as hitch hikers. he likes to sit under mushrooms or in the green star polyps.
do you have any experience with these?
the bigger one is in a 10 gallon due to him being a hitchhiker and my other tank holding triggers i figured he was better in the 10...

 

[alyssia]

Ophiura, "arm drop" as in dropping his arms off on purpose to form a new star?

 

[n_sarno]

wow, thats cool.. I did a search on them and found alot on the Linckia multiflora.. and it shows pictures of a HUGE leg w/ 4 other tiny legs like the star dropped the one and formed another.. very cool I wouldnt mind having one. :thinking:

 

[fisherson]

well i now have 2 and the one in my 10 gallon dropped an peice of an arm from it's larger arm and the small peice of arm doesn't seem to be growing but it does move around the glass and sand.