Blue Linkia Star Fish

[barebucta]

Anyone had any success in keeping a blue linkia starfish? Read up a little info about them and from what I get they are kinda difficult to keep. Just wanted to hear any first hand experiences.

 

[reefman]

i have 1 for about half year. i find as long as u get 1 in good shape n acclimate very very slowly, it's not hard. however i've heard they don't live long. not sure how long in the wild.

 

[Hitsnorth]

Ive had one for a few years with no problem.

 

[jhale]

it's hit or miss, more on the miss side.
they eat some specific algae's if they are not growing on your rocks
then the linkia will die.
I had one and it died after a few months.
I can recommend a linkia multiflora, if you have a reef tank with around 75 lb or more of live rock then these linkias do much better.

 

[Dmitry]

I saw one Blue Linckia at New World over the weekend.

 

[beyondnp]

I also had one for approx a year. Beautiful to look at and good addition to the reef but was sad it didnt live longer so I dont plan on purchasing another one. Good luck!

 

[Tonyscoots84]

my opinion is they should be left in the ocean... for reasons stated above...

 

[nycmat]

i have had mine for about 2 years now and they told me the same thing

 

[masterswimmer]

i have had mine for about 2 years now and they told me the same thing

I believe yours would be considered one of the exceptions rather than the rule. The blue linckias are a very difficult starfish to keep. As Jon stated, they eat an unidentified type of film algae that you cannot add or even determine whether or not it is present in your tank.

Being that it is hit or miss, leaning heavily toward miss, the prudent action would be not to add it to your tank.

swimmer

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

i have had mine for about 2 years now and they told me the same thing

Your star is getting old-see if you can proporgate it and give me a baby. HAHA.

 

[masterswimmer]

Your star is getting old-see if you can proporgate it and give me a baby. HAHA.

:lol: That's easy. All he has to do is chop off 1/2 of each leg (that's 5) then leave the central disk. Total 6 'frags'. Dibs :lol2: :joke:

swimmer

 

[barebucta]

:lol: That's easy. All he has to do is chop off 1/2 of each leg (that's 5) then leave the central disk. Total 6 'frags'. Dibs :lol2: :joke:

swimmer

Pardon my stupidity, couldn't tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but is that how they reproduce?

 

[masterswimmer]

Pardon my stupidity, couldn't tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but is that how they reproduce?

Actually that is how they reproduce. Linckia's will drop a leg (sometimes 1/2 a leg) and the 4 legged linckia will grow a new leg. The piece of leg that was left behind will form miniscule legs and become what's called a comet. This process of becoming a comet can take months and months. During this time, believe it or not, the 1/2 leg will show signs of extremely slow locomotion (movement). Here's a pic the 'mother', the comet and the comet after about 8 months as a baby linckia.

swimmer

 

[barebucta]

thats amazing. Can I cut a leg off myself or do I have to just sit and wait until one falls off?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i've had an orange one for several months. i got it from reefoman and i think he had it for 6 months or so. doing fine. it's too bad most of them die so soon

 

[masterswimmer]

thats amazing. Can I cut a leg off myself or do I have to just sit and wait until one falls off?

My research has led me to two different hypothesis. First, the linckia multiflora will drop a leg in our enclosed systems when it senses the security of a well balanced, pristine water quality, abundant food system. Now that's the good news.

The second theory is that they drop the leg when stressed. I don't know which is true, but if both the leg and the original starfish survive, then I'd say the first theory would prevail.

Nevertheless, I would most definitely let nature take its course and if it drops a leg, great. If not, I would guess it's not ready to be amputated. :biggrin:

swimmer