Want a Sea Star But which one?? Ophiura

[re_vogel]

I am looking to get a starfish in the next 6 mths. I have been doing a lot of research and I know thay most don't do well in a tank. Of the one that do well which is best. I have a 1 yr old fowlr that I will someday turn into a reef. I have 50 lbs +/- LR and 40 LB LS. Water reading a good ammo 0, Trates 5-10, Trites 0, PH 8.2 Temp 78.. I don't want to make the wrong choice so help would be appriciated

 

[re_vogel]

sorry forgot to mension tANK IS 75 GAL

 

[socalracer]

dont know much either but i have a red lynkia that has been alive for around 2-3 months

 

[garnet13aj]

I'm sure you know, but chocolate chip stars although very hardy cannot go in reef tanks.

 

[ophiura]

IMO, the tank is not suitable for any Linckia at this time. Remember, Linckia tend to starve at about the year mark, so success for less than 12 - 18 months is really marginal. They can show no signs of problems before this.
I really do not suggest any reef safe seastar unless you are adding more LR. And if you are, then I would wait until that is done. 50lbs really isn't all that much for an animal that requires it.
Brittlestars, however, are an option. Avoid the green, a known predator, but other forms would probably be OK.
The non-reef safe stars, such as the chocolate chip mentioned, would also be suitable but of course won't fit with your future plans.
So personally I would add more LR, let the reef get built up, and have the seastar be one of your last entries. If you add at least 50lbs more, you will be OK for Linckia multiflora, and probably for an orange Linckia (but it is always a marginal call).
Also, what is your specific gravity?

 

[re_vogel]

about 1.023 but i will be raising it as I get closer. thanks for the advice. i will add another 50Lb's of lr...

 

[re_vogel]

Is there any way to suppliment their diet. I really like my lr setup and I like having the top of the tank open but I want a sea star...

 

[ophiura]

No, the reef safe stars such as Linckia and Fromia require lots of LR and can not, as a general rule, be spot fed. Brittlestars and non-reef safe stars can be spot fed.
If the tank is well established as a reef, with 50lbs of LR, you might might be able to sustain a Linckia multiflora, but I do not recommend it personally.

 

[re_vogel]

So would an orange serpent star be a good candidate. Also where can you get the mulyiflora's I have never seen one...

 

[ophiura]

They turn up now and then as "mottled" Linckia and such. Keep an eye out.
The orange serpent - I would need to see a picture. Probably OK. Keep in mind all need the long acclimations, etc ,etc and brittlestars in general may not be real obvious during the day. I would keep in mind that like Hermits and various crabs they always have some risk associated with keeping them.

 

[socalracer]

ophiura for the first 6 weeks i had my linkia it stayed on the back wall of the tank i assume eating algae......i only have around 65lbs of LR in my tank (100g) i really don't want the star to die not b/c it was expensive ,b/c it wasn't, but b/c i don't like my inhabitants to die...makes me feel guilty for buying them.......buying more rock isn't an option right now am i just forced to rely on luck?

 

[ophiura]

What Linckia do you have?
If Linckia multiflora, you may be OK. If a blue Linckia, you may be in trouble.
They don't eat algae, per se, but probably the microbial fauna that does live on surfaces. It is common to see them on glass...but whether it provides enough is open to question. I would try, personally, to see if it will take to any spot feeding. Try meaty stuff, try algae sheets, try things like shooting some thawed out rotifers or cyclopeeze, etc right between the arms....something. Otherwise, yes, I am afraid it comes down to luck, which is a combination of the particular species you have, the individual star, and conditions unique to your tank.