[sweetrav18]

I have some questions about feed him/her. Does anyone have experience feeeding these guys with chunks of food? What kind, how large, how often? I have heard shrimp and clam any other thoughts? Really would like to get it off to a good start knowing that they can be difficult. Thanks and love the site

[Ninong]

There is no agreement on their exact natural diet but in captivity they seem to be detritivores that also feed on bacteria and algal film. For this reason, they do better in mature tanks that provide adequate sources of nutrition. If you are feeding fish and other animals in your tank, it is likely that you won't need to add anything extra for the Linckia laevigata as it will clean up the leftovers.

[Poseidon]

Just don't try and keep ant triggers in there... My well behaved Odonus Niger decimated my blue linkia the FIRST DAY!! OUCH to my wallet!

[sweetrav18]

I have an update/question for everyone? The starfich has a bunch of small bumps all over the blue dorsal surface. They are not discolored...same blue color as body. I didnt notice these when I put him in...am I just being paranoid or is this a bad sign; possibly osmotic shock. I took 2-3 hrs acclimating him?

[kevinpo]

Not likely to be anything to worry about. Watch for white developing at the tips of the feet for signs of osmotic problems. The tips of the feet will turn white and begin to melt. I have had only one Linckia recover from that condition. Often it is not your acclimation process that kills these beautiful starfish but rather the distributor or the LFS who fail to acclimate them properly. When I receive them from the wholesaler the above condition shows up in 5-7 days. I have stopped purchasing them from one place as they always dissolve while another place they never do. I acclimate them for 4 hours.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: Regarding feeding, I have never seen one take any food. Rather they cruise the rockwork and get into the smallest places you can inagine. The one in my home tank has gotten a bit thin over the years (4) and it makes me wonder if they are really suitable for the home aquarium? I have 850lbs of live rock so you would think that would be enough to sustain it.

[sweetrav18]

I think that he is dying. I woke up this morning and it was lying blue side down in the sand and isn't moving it tube feet. I have noticed no change in coloration throughout the body or tips. Is it possible that he's just sleeping upside down. I doubt it but I am leaving him in there until i notice a discoloration. Any suggestions or am I pretty much right in saying he's a gonner