Red Star Fish

[Kev]

As ever, I am like a little lad at Christmas when I get a new exhibit for my reef tank.

Just let this one free in to my system, and managed to get a shot before he disappears. I am the proud owner of a new red star fish. Crap photo, but I don't care!:D

Kev

[callum_parsons]

that starfish has an amazing colour

[Kev]

Callum

I know, I am absolutely chuffed to bits that I have got it. Thanks.

Kev

[Macca]

What Sp is that Kev? It looks like a red linkia?? If it is then nice one!!!

I hope you acclimatised for a good few hours.

James

[MR Teee]

Looks good Kev!

[Kev]

Hi James

I think you may be right, it is a Linkia.

I spent not far off 5 hours acclimatising this guy. Looks very well this morning.

Kev

[Gillybaby]

Very nice Kev, the colour is so bright ;)

[Kev]

Thanks Gilly

Just got home from work, still going strong, so fingers crossed acclimatisation worked well for this little guy.:)

[Rover]

Very nice, amazing colour. Another one for the list when I upgrade:D

[Kev]

:D I can't stoplooking at it. Its certainly getting around in my tank, settled in just nicely.

[SteveS]

very nice kev!

do they need a special diet?

steve

[Kev]

Hi Steve

My homework on this one reads that this creature will spend its time foraging on a rocky substrata searching for small organisms and detritus. So in that respect does it have a special diet, then yes. Will I target feed? No to that one.

Lovely colour though.

Kev

[SteveS]

sounds like your homeworks done m8, i thought id read they needed target feeding ie placing on "food" once a week, maybe its a different spieces.

stunning animal, hope it goes well

steve

[Kev]

Steve

Thanks for this, I will double check. Want to get things right!!

Kev

[SteveS]

no worries kev, pm sent

steve

[Tangman]

Hi Kev Glad the little fella has settled in :), take care of him i know you will m8. It is only the second one ive seen with 6 legs, we got 2 in at Aquarius about 3 months ago and both had 6 legs. Maybe James can shed some light on the 6 legged variety as i have not seen them before. Eric

[Kev]

Eric / Steve

Cheers. He has settled in and is all over the place. Must be that extra leg.:D

[Tangman]

Eric / Steve

Cheers. He has settled in and is all over the place. Must be that extra leg.:D

LOL :) Eric

[Macca]

"Echinoderms are characterized by radial symmetry, several arms (5 or more, mostly grouped 2 left - 1 middle - 2 right) radiating from a central body (= pentamerous). The body actually consists of five equal segments, each containing a duplicate set of various internal organs. They have no heart, brain, nor eyes, but some brittle stars seem to have light sensitive parts on their arms. Their mouth is situated on the underside and their anus on top (except feather stars, sea cucumbers and some urchins).

Echinoderms have tentacle-like structures called tube feet with suction pads situated at their extremities. These tube feet are hydraulically controlled by a remarkable vascular system. This system supplies water through canals of small muscular tubes to the tube feet (= ambulacral feet). As the tube feet press against a moving object, water is withdrawn from them, resulting in a suction effect. When water returns to the canals, suction is released. The resulting locomotion is generally very slow."

Echinoderms have a great ability in regenerating lost limbs or even intestines (cucumbers). They have many ways of reproduction. One is called fisssion - can split it two (Asteriodea stars). The class Echinoderms generally have 5 segments or groups of 5. Having a starfish with 6 or 7 legs is a sign that the starfish has grown 2 limbs from 1 segment, probably due to an injury. On the other hand the asteriodea stars do have an oddball with 6 legs "Echinaster luzonicus" If you red star has one leg larger than the others then it might be this Sp.

James

[Macca]

http://cse.fra.affrc.go.jp/seastar/RusonHitode.jpg

Echinaster luzonicus

[Kev]

The star is under some polyps busy away at the moment. When next in full view, I will check this out.

Cheers for your efforts here. Much apprceciated.

Kev

[Reefer]

Nice, well done Kev

[Tangman]

Thanks for that James, the one Kev bought has 1 longer leg than the other 5.Eric

[Kev]

Yup. 1 leg longer than the others. Cheers for the id.

Kev

[Kev]

The star fish came out in full last night just after lights out, so managed to get a couple of shots. You can clearly see the 6th and longer leg.

I am still very pleased with this chap, been with me a week tomorrow.

[Blue]

The star fish came out in full last night just after lights out, so managed to get a couple of shots. You can clearly see the 6th and longer leg.

I am still very pleased with this chap, been with me a week tomorrow.

Nice 1 , are you getting a cake for it :):):)
sorry couln't help myself Kev.
Great animal by the way. :)

[SteveS]

nice pics kev, have you decided to target feed it or leaving it to scavange

steve

[Pinkfish]

Nice star cool vibrant colour.

hmmmmmm ................ No Mike Just Keep saying NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pinkfish]

Nice star cool vibrant colour.

hmmmmmm ................ No Mike Just Keep saying NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I set up my own MA class "Marines Anonymous"

[Macca]

Maybe I set up my own MA class "Marines Anonymous"

Mike we will all get you through this :D

James

[Tangman]

Hi Kev the starfish looks well m8, it will add a bit more colour to your tank as well. :) Eric

[Kev]

are you getting a cake for it

lol. Yes, the party hats are out today.:D

Steve, all the info I can find suggests that this will look after itself, feeding off detritus and uneaten food. So I will be letting it scavenge, and no target feeding. Anyone any other idea's.

[Tangman]

Hi Kev when it was at Aquarius i use to squirt mysis under it every so often, but i never saw it take any but i could have done. IMO i would say it will feed off what is in the tank. HTH. Eric

[Macca]

If you have a mature setup with plenty of zoo plankton and regularly feed fish etc I would leave it to its own.

James

[Kev]

Eric / James

I think I will be ok to leave it to look after itself. Thanks for confirming what I thought.