Linkia Starfish?

BlueWater · 08-13-2002, 09:29 PM

This is my first post in forever. Hi all.

There's a sale on Maroon Linkia starfish.

My tank is a FWLR tank. 1-FuzzyDwarf, 1 Green Spotted Puffer, 1 Scooter blenny.

There's some mushroom rocks and hermit crabs in there too.

Would the Starfish be alright with everything else in the tank? Plus my tank exploded with brown algae all over the sand and rock... wanted something that eats this stuff.

Thnx in advance.

**Ninong** · 08-13-2002, 10:36 PM

Hi BlueWater,

That's a tough question to answer. The reason it's tough is because most of the so-called "Maroon Linckia Starfish" that are sold are not of that genus at all. True Linckia spp. starfish and true Fromia spp. starfish are considered good choices for reeftanks. Most people can recognize a blue Linckia laevigata or a red Fromia elegans when they see one but it's hard to be sure of some of the others.

What is frequently passed off as the Maroon Linckia Starfish is actually Tamaria stria. Some hobbyists have posted that this species has proven to be predatory in their reeftanks. I do remember this topic coming up in the past but I can't recall where for sure. I believe something was mentioned about the color of the tube feet, whether they were yellow or clear. I just can't remember which color was "bad." I think Golfish was involved in that thread so you might want to send him an e-mail to see what advice he can offer.

Here is a link to a recent article by Dr. Rob Toonen that you may find helpful: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/toonen.htm

Good luck,

BlueWater · 08-14-2002, 11:57 PM

hmmm...

thnx for the reply Nin.

I think I'm gonna get it. My tank is no longer reef. I used to have a few corals and anemone in there. But now I just have those fish listed above, and some mushrooms.

The mushrooms multiply fast, so if the starfish gnaws on them, no big loss to me

Thanks for the responce.

**golfish** · 08-16-2002, 02:54 AM

Is this starfish from Jeff's Exoticfish? I have seen both the Linkia and Tamaria stria at his store. The Linkia has clear feet and the T. stria has orange feet. I feel the T. stria is a little more hardy but could eat your shrooms. If its from Jeff its probably a T. stria

08-13-2002, 09:29 PM	#1
BlueWater Citizen Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Manhattan Beach, California Posts: 129	Linkia Starfish? This is my first post in forever. Hi all. There's a sale on Maroon Linkia starfish. My tank is a FWLR tank. 1-FuzzyDwarf, 1 Green Spotted Puffer, 1 Scooter blenny. There's some mushroom rocks and hermit crabs in there too. Would the Starfish be alright with everything else in the tank? Plus my tank exploded with brown algae all over the sand and rock... wanted something that eats this stuff. Thnx in advance.

08-13-2002, 10:36 PM	#2
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,311	Hi BlueWater, That's a tough question to answer. The reason it's tough is because most of the so-called "Maroon Linckia Starfish" that are sold are not of that genus at all. True Linckia spp. starfish and true Fromia spp. starfish are considered good choices for reeftanks. Most people can recognize a blue Linckia laevigata or a red Fromia elegans when they see one but it's hard to be sure of some of the others. What is frequently passed off as the Maroon Linckia Starfish is actually Tamaria stria. Some hobbyists have posted that this species has proven to be predatory in their reeftanks. I do remember this topic coming up in the past but I can't recall where for sure. I believe something was mentioned about the color of the tube feet, whether they were yellow or clear. I just can't remember which color was "bad." I think Golfish was involved in that thread so you might want to send him an e-mail to see what advice he can offer. Here is a link to a recent article by Dr. Rob Toonen that you may find helpful: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/toonen.htm Good luck, __________________ Ninong

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08-14-2002, 11:57 PM	#3
BlueWater Citizen Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Manhattan Beach, California Posts: 129	hmmm... thnx for the reply Nin. I think I'm gonna get it. My tank is no longer reef. I used to have a few corals and anemone in there. But now I just have those fish listed above, and some mushrooms. The mushrooms multiply fast, so if the starfish gnaws on them, no big loss to me Thanks for the responce.

08-16-2002, 02:54 AM	#4
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Is this starfish from Jeff's Exoticfish? I have seen both the Linkia and Tamaria stria at his store. The Linkia has clear feet and the T. stria has orange feet. I feel the T. stria is a little more hardy but could eat your shrooms. If its from Jeff its probably a T. stria

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