Blue Linckia Starfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
One of the most common and showy shallow-water species of Indo-Pacific sea stars. Janine Cairns-Michael
[edit] Overview
With bright colors that range from aqua to almost violet, this is one of the most popular sea stars, and one of the few that tends to adapt to life in a reef aquarium.
Family: Ophidiasteridae
Other common name(s):
- Blue Star
- Comet Star
Native range:
Maximum length: 40 cm (16 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 380 L (100 gal)
Lighting: Good illumination will support algal growth on live rock, providing grazing opportunities.
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Natural and necessary diet unknown. Appears to graze algae from substrate, as well as accept meaty foods, but seldom survives more than 18 months. Appears to die of malnutrition.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Able to live at least a year in a reef aquarium if properly acclimated and provided with sufficient food. May be attacked by hermit crabs and several species of parasitic snails that need to be removed with forceps.
[edit] Special Care
Acclimate very slowly to new water, over a period of several hours or more.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
It reproduces asexually when one arm or ray pulls itself away from the central disc and walks away; the disc heals and grows a new ray, while the ray grows a new body and arms.
| Common name | Blue Linckia Starfish +, Blue Star +, and Comet Star + |
| Family | Ophidiasteridae + |
| Genus | Linckia + |
| Image credit | JCM + |
| Lighting | Good illumination will support algal growth on live rock, providing grazing opportunities. + |
| Maximum length | 16 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 100 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates + |
| Specific name | laevigata + |
| Text credit | RLS + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |