Starfish - Reef safe?

fireeater

Member
My local lfs has a few of these. I looked all over and found a pic and a name and price. Though no info on keeping them. Lfs does not even know what they are. He has had them in his tank for some time now.
I believe they are called Orange Knobby Starfish.
Anyone know any basic about them?
Thanks!
 

ophiura

Active Member
This is probably a species of Echinaster. It is probably reef safe, but no guarantees. We don't know a lot about the wild diet of these animals. I know a few people keep them, and I believe they have them in reefs.
A long acclimation is required for these stars, just like Linckia. We are talking about 4+ hours (the longer the better) using a drip method.
I do not recommend that they go in a tank with any other similar star (eg a Linckia
or Fromia
) unless it is a large system (100g+). They usually can not be spot fed (though some may have had success) and rely on lots and lots of LR and a healthy mature system. They will eat algal and bacterial films, bryozoans, sponges and other encrusting animals on the LR....and potentially other things as well. IMO, a 55g with at least 55lbs LR is minimum for best success. Many seastars of this group (the reef safe stars) do not survive past the 1 year mark, and likely die of starvation.
 

pyro383

Member
May be a red spiney reef safe starfish. I have 1, they eat mostly detrious and may accept algae wafers
 
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