Blue Linckia Star Fish

[Kev]

Hi

I have been thinking about adding one of these to my tank for several months now.

Has anyone any experiences with these and any issues with acclimatisation that they could share.

Any info would be grateful to help me make up my mind.

Thanks

Kev

[Macca]

Acclimatise very very slowly by drip feed, Make sure the starfish has not got any paristites underneath. Make sure when you pick up and whilst under water that the underneath fully closes hiding all the little tube feet. Pick a nice healthy colour one with no fluffy arms and please make sure you system can house one.

I.e Plenty of little critters to feed on and water parameters spot on otherwise it will just die through time.

James

[Kev]

James

Thanks for this. I am confident that water quality is tip top. However, my syatem is bare bottom which may reduce the number of critters?

Kev

[Macca]

If your system is tip top then that is half the battle. If you acclimatise properly (Most people and I dont mean to offend DONT)!! Then if you have no sand substrate (Not ideal) Then you will have to target feed with mussel meat etc.

To be honest the red star would be easier to keep and if you were to go for a sand star, brittle or serpent easier again.

Hope this helps

James

[Kev]

James

I may well leave alone then, I don't want to be messing with target feeding.

Now I may do some home work on the others you mentioned. I have had a green brittle in the past, had to take it back to the dealer after it caught and ate my prized pyjama wrasse.

Kev

[Macca]

Ye the grren ones have had a bad name but they are many more to chose from.

James

[Kev]

Anyone got a picture of a red star referenced above.

Thanks

Kev

[Gillybaby]

Anyone got a picture of a red star referenced above.

Thanks

Kev

Not sure if this is the kind that James is referring to exactly but I believe Fromia are slightly easier to keep than linckias although they are still very delicate:

http://www.trapper300.co.uk/photos/albums/uploads/current%20tank%20pics%20for%20webpage/fromia.jpg

Although mine spends most of its time under the eggcrate because there's lots of food down there :(

[Macca]

Yep, the indian fromia. Like Gilly above is a very nice little plankton eating stafish. One that I would recommend. Two things to be wary off -

1. How you acclimatise this little fella.
2. Your water parameters have to be spot on and be a mature system.

James

[Macca]

Forgot to mention - If buying make sure the black tips of their legs are intact and are not showing signs of being fluffy! Fluffy ends are a sure sign of bad acclimatisation by your LFS. Gilly pic above is a prime example of a healthy star!

James

[Gillybaby]

Yeah, we acclimatised ours very slowly with a drip feed over about 8-9 hours iirc. It is a good idea to buy one in the early afternoon and so that you are aiming to have it acclimatised and in your tank for lights out. They also stay a bit smaller than the linckias too so don't need quite so much food. Its amazing to watch it slip into the tiniest of spaces after a morsel. I saw him one morning and panicked because I thought he only had 2 legs left but the others were just squished into a gap in the rock. The wee monkey ;)

[Kev]

Thanks folks.

Nice photo by the way Gilly. I may be taking a trip out in the next few weeks or so to get one of these. I think my water qulity is excellent, and the system I have is very stable and mature. Acclimatisation is the one I need to be careful of, and thanks for your advice in this respect. Thanks for the tips. When I get one of these specimins. I will let you know how I get on.

Kev

[Tangman]

Hi Kev Aquarius have a red six legged one in at present been with them for about 3 month now so must be ok. Also they have some green spot linkia's in stock as well and very attractive.HTH. Eric

[Kev]

How much will it set me back Eric?

[Tangman]

Pop in sometime and talk to me and i will see you right. Eric.

[Kev]

I will do just that.

Kev

[Kev]

Eric

I am working down in Derby next Thursday. Would you be there if I call in at Aquarius on the way back home?

Kev