blue linkia star

[bongobrian]

Ok I finally bought one... I've wanted one of these for so long! anyway, I was hoping to just get some basic feedback on the best care for this guy, and anything else to look out for. One thing that I noticed right away is that my maroon clown did not like the new addition one bit! he went nuts when I put the star in the tank and started attacking it. It wasn't even in the clown's territory, so I don't know what that was about. I moved the star way up and out of the way of the clown. The star has been safely nested between some rocks and coral since then. So, do you ever need to feed them? if so, what types of food? Thanks guys.

[golfish]

They need a well established, mature tank. You can't feed em so don't even try. They need lots of film algae ( I keep saying film but something tells me I'm wrong...Ninong?) the acclimation is critical and can make or break it. I have had no problems at all with them except that I was forced to transfer 2 into a not so mature 150 gal tank. I lost one of them after a few months because there just wasn't enough food in the tank.

Having been attack by one of the clowns is defiantly not good. If he makes it through the first 3-4 weeks then it probably wasn't effected from the acclimation or the attack. You will probably not see it for a few weeks. Don't worry about it. They usally hide......

Good luck

Mark

[bongobrian]

Thanks Mark, I always appreciate your advice. You're right about the star going into hiding. He (I'm calling him a boy) has stayed in the same spot after I moved him out of the clown's view. Luckily the clown didn't really get a piece of him because I was there watching it. As soon as I saw the clown take the first lunge at the star, I had my hand in there moving him to safety. How mature should the tank be? I've had my tank set up for about 7 months now. What type of film algea are you talking about? cyano? or brown diatom? thanks again buddy.

[Reinhold]

My Blue Linkia cruised around the tank glass for two days, then took up residence in the rocks. He comes out into view a couple of times per day.

It's the coolest creature in my tank. Here's a photo.

[golfish]

Brian,
Its really hard to say. The best advice is to let it be. If boy makes through the first month then your half way there.......

[newreefman1]

I picked one up today. Looked great in the store. By the time I got it home, it looked almost dead. Its been in the same spot in my tank for the last 5 hours. Still attached...but not looking good. I acclimated it for 4=5 hours once I got home but who knows.....

Beautiful creature..Though I would try one. Im hoping it pulls through.

J

[scubadude]

Newreefman,

Mine did the same thing when i got mine.....it took almost a week then he was cruizing all over the tank...now that he has checked the whole tank out he has found a few select spots he hangs out in. I love my linkia

[Ninong]

If they make it past the first couple of weeks, you're usually home free, so to speak. The main reason Linckia laevigata has a reputation for being difficult is because they are poor shippers--they do not travel well. (Unfortunately, this also means that all of your best efforts could be in vain if the animal was subjected to poor handling prior to your receiving it. The damage may not be apparent for a couple of weeks.) The most important thing that you can do to improve your chances of success is to take your time with the slow drip acclimation process prior to putting it in your tank. How long you need to drag this acclimation process out depends on the difference in salinity between your tank water and the water that the sea star was previously adjusted to. Try to think of it this way: Just imagine a creature with a vascular system filled with water instead of blood. That's why they are so sensitive to osmotic shock (changes in salinity).

One of the good things about Linckia spp. is that their diet is pretty much confined to detritus, surface algal films, and surface microbes. They are not ravenous omnivores like most sea stars. This is also why people will advise you to wait until your tank is set up for a few months before adding one.

Ninong

[bongobrian]

Very interesting Ninong, thanks for the info! Well I'm worried about how I did the acclimation process. I did gradually add tank water to the bag the linkia was in, but I only did this over a period of about 20 minutes. The star seems to be doing great so far. He has moved from the top of the tank to the very bottom, and is hiding under a peice of base rock. I guess only time will tell now.

newreefman1- why do you say yours looks almost dead? just because it isn't moving? or is there something physically wrong with it? just curious because I want to know what to look out for.

[newreefman1]

I say mine almost looks dead cause it just isnt moving. Its still stuck on the glass though which makes me think it is alive otherwise I would think it couldnt stick to the glass.

It hasnt moved since around 5 or 6 pm yesterday....that makes me think its not in great shape but who knows..i may be wrong it may just like that corner of the tank.

The reason I say this too is that way back when, my wife came home with a choc chip star fish.....I knew nothing about them, and basically knew nothing about the hobby....it cruised around...and one day..sat on the glass, just like this linkia did...and eventually died. I even tried handfeeding it to no avail. thats where I based my conclusion from albeit it may be a wrong one.

Oh well. Well just wait and see.

Jason.

[golfish]

Brian,
Three lashes for you You should alaways do a little research before buying. Just about every thread out there tells about acclimating these guys. Shame on me for assuming you knew that.

Jason,
You'll know when its dead or dying.

[Ninong]

Hey, we forgot to tell Reinhold how nice his sea star looks!

Ninong

[Rin]

And while we are discussing the prospects and responsibilities of these guys...What size tank is the minimum for a long happy life?

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Rin
What size tank is the minimum for a long happy life?

Just keep in mind that their maximum size is about 12-14" across and take it from there. It's not like they need swimming room or anything like that but you don't want them getting in the way so to speak. If the tank is only 40 gallons, it might be better to consider something much smaller like Fromia elegans (the little red starfish) or Linckia multifora (the Hawaiian pink starfish).

Ninong

[bongobrian]

Yes yes I know I know... I should have known better to do the research first (I almost always do) I'm a bad BAD reefer! But I had a credit at this pet store and I wanted to burn it up. They didn't have any good corals so I said hey! they have blue linkias for $16! I think I'll give it a try. I should have known that it was going to require special acclimation to the tank. Shame on me.

[Reinhold]

bongobrian:

50 lashes with a handful of wet Caulerpa for you! OK, now forgive yourself and let it go....let it go!

[golfish]

Yeah Brian, I wasn't giving you a hard time. We all make do it once in awhile.

If you guys could see my tank you would slap me around

[newreefman1]

heheh..

IF you saw one of my 1st reef tanks I would be banned from the board.

Flowerpot, mandarin, BTA, LTA, choc chip starfish, all with NO or PC lighitng on a 29....I hate one of the LFS for lying to me so much( i have never returned). Its a shame that I had to learn by killing animals but at least I did return and didnt make new mistakes.....

Thats a whole lot of what these boards are for...not only prevention but education on things we may have messed up on in the past by getting incoherent and abhorrent advice....

Anyways...im heading back to my perfect tank. LOL

[scubadude]

Originally posted by golfish
If you guys could see my tank you would slap me around

LOL....No not you! Can we slap you around anyway?

I have some how managed to pack a 220 gal tank in 3.5 mos....I really dont have much room left...well some grow out room....but I did research everything I bought Seriously though....most of my specimens are Acro's and I did alot of research on Acropora sp. in general....but if I have a (for example) Acropora florida and didnt do any research on it or couldnt find any literature on it....does that make me irresponsible....nah!

Now you Bongo! you should be severely punished....you really need to send that Linkia to me so I can provide it a good home...and then we can let this all be water under the bridge

[bongobrian]

gee thanks scuba... I guess I will send it to you because you obviously never make mistakes.