Fromia and Linka stars

Tee · 07-03-2002, 08:38 PM

Can someone tell me the average life span of the fromia and the linka stars? Also what size (aged) tank do you need to support them.
Thanks in advance.

**scubadude** · 07-05-2002, 09:36 AM

I believe my blue linckia is about max size, a little bigger than my hand spread out. I was curious about the lifespan too. As far as what they eat it hasnt been proven yet but pretty much they graze on surface films (algae) on LR and sandbeds but can eat other foods if target fed. Here is a good article on them by Toonen

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/toonen.htm

Tee · 07-05-2002, 12:04 PM

Thanks!

JustPhish · 07-07-2002, 10:03 PM

I've gotten blue linckias in which were easily ten plus inches across from tip to tip. I have a pic of one some where. I couldn't tell you if that was max size or their life span, but like scuba said, they do eat film algae and I really wouldn't put more than one in your tank so they don't compete for food.

HTH

Elmo18 · 07-09-2002, 04:16 AM

Tee,

I've had two different starfish in my reef tank. One was a Red Fromia and the other a reddish colored linkia. I think the first big factor to overcome when acquiring starfish is getting through the introduction phase. They are very sensitive to osmotic pressure, so must be acclimated slowly, slower than other invertebrates. My red fromia i believed was not properly acclimated and slowly disintegrated. At first the ends of it's five legs showed signs of whiteness. Overtime, it got worst, and seemed to eat away at its legs, albeit slowly. When i saw it was half gone, I decided to take it out of the tank for the sake of the other inhabitants. With the red linkia, I had a better success. It was living in my 80 gallon, until I had to take it down.

Fromias stay smaller than Linkias. Blue linkias can grow larger than a human hand as mentioned above. I, however, like the look of Fromias better than Linkias. The latter has a much more 'rounded' leg whereas the former has 'flatter' legs, and there are some that are multicolored. Linkias on the other hand, are usually one-colored (blue, red, etc.).

Their longetivity I believed is greatly determined by whether they are under stress. Just my experience.

-Elmo

Tee · 07-09-2002, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the great info. I've had my fromia for 2 weeks now and I haven't seen any "whitening" of his limbs yet. He looks just like he did at the LFS. I acclimated him over SEVERAL hours so I hope he'll do well. Sometimes he's more active than at other times but I guess that's normal. Thanks again

07-03-2002, 08:38 PM	#1
Tee Citizen Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Crewe, VA Posts: 105	Fromia and Linka stars Can someone tell me the average life span of the fromia and the linka stars? Also what size (aged) tank do you need to support them. Thanks in advance.

07-05-2002, 09:36 AM	#2
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	I believe my blue linckia is about max size, a little bigger than my hand spread out. I was curious about the lifespan too. As far as what they eat it hasnt been proven yet but pretty much they graze on surface films (algae) on LR and sandbeds but can eat other foods if target fed. Here is a good article on them by Toonen http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/toonen.htm __________________ Rocky

07-07-2002, 10:03 PM	#4
JustPhish Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Connecticut Posts: 44	I've gotten blue linckias in which were easily ten plus inches across from tip to tip. I have a pic of one some where. I couldn't tell you if that was max size or their life span, but like scuba said, they do eat film algae and I really wouldn't put more than one in your tank so they don't compete for food. HTH __________________ JP Just Phish www.justphish.com

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07-05-2002, 12:04 PM	#3
Tee Citizen Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Crewe, VA Posts: 105	Thanks!

07-09-2002, 04:16 AM	#5
Elmo18 Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,514	Tee, I've had two different starfish in my reef tank. One was a Red Fromia and the other a reddish colored linkia. I think the first big factor to overcome when acquiring starfish is getting through the introduction phase. They are very sensitive to osmotic pressure, so must be acclimated slowly, slower than other invertebrates. My red fromia i believed was not properly acclimated and slowly disintegrated. At first the ends of it's five legs showed signs of whiteness. Overtime, it got worst, and seemed to eat away at its legs, albeit slowly. When i saw it was half gone, I decided to take it out of the tank for the sake of the other inhabitants. With the red linkia, I had a better success. It was living in my 80 gallon, until I had to take it down. Fromias stay smaller than Linkias. Blue linkias can grow larger than a human hand as mentioned above. I, however, like the look of Fromias better than Linkias. The latter has a much more 'rounded' leg whereas the former has 'flatter' legs, and there are some that are multicolored. Linkias on the other hand, are usually one-colored (blue, red, etc.). Their longetivity I believed is greatly determined by whether they are under stress. Just my experience. -Elmo

07-09-2002, 08:47 AM	#6
Tee Citizen Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Crewe, VA Posts: 105	Thanks for the great info. I've had my fromia for 2 weeks now and I haven't seen any "whitening" of his limbs yet. He looks just like he did at the LFS. I acclimated him over SEVERAL hours so I hope he'll do well. Sometimes he's more active than at other times but I guess that's normal. Thanks again

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