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FAQs about Linckia Sea Star Identification
Related Articles:
Linckia Stars, Asterina Stars,
An Introduction to the Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea
Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and More... By
James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs: Seastar ID 1,
Linckia Stars 1, Linckia Stars 2,
Linckia Behavior, Linckia
Compatibility, Linckia Selection,
Linckia Systems, Linckia Feeding,
Linckia Disease, Linckia Reproduction,
Sea Stars 1, Sea Stars 2,
Sea Stars 3, Sea Stars 4,
Sea Stars 5, Seastar Selection,
Seastar Compatibility, Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior, Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction,
Seastar Disease, Asterina
Stars, Chocolate
Chip Stars, Crown of Thorns Stars,
Fromia Stars, Sand-Sifting Stars, | 
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Unknown Asteroidean, ID,
sel. 11/13/09
Hello WWM Crew,
<Scott>
I recently encountered a sea star at a reputable LFS that I am hoping will
be suitable for long term survival in my display. The store manager told me
that they found it in a live rock shipment (most likely from the South
Pacific) and they decided to see if it would survive in one of their
displays (a small mini reef setup).
<Okay>
After four months at the LFS, the sea star seemed to be very healthy and
appeared to be regenerating previous damage to a couple of its arms. My best
guess at the time was that it was a Linckia species and had a good chance of
survival in my (four years mature) 135 gallon SPS display. So in spite of
concerns about difficulty keeping this animal healthy long term, I decided
to give it my best efforts.
<Mmm, have taken a cursory look on WWM, and the Net... and I swear I've seen
this species somewhere... but don't think it is of the genus Linckia... But
the fact that it has prospered in captive conditions bodes well>
After acclimation, quarantine and introduction to the display, I had a
chance to take the attached photo, with the hope you might be able to help
confirm the ID. My "novice" best guess is Linckia multifora. Would you
kindly advise your opinion on this?
<Please try to match here: http://wetwebmedia.com/seastars2.htm
or send along a link to a graphic that matches the body conformation,
colour, markings>
Apart from maintaining a healthy display for "grazing", is there anything
else you would do to insure this guy has the best chance for long term
survival, say for example some type of target feeding?
<Experiment with various food stuffs... was this Echinoderm fed anything
specifically by the dealer?>
As always, I truly appreciate you folks and the service provided by your
invaluable website.
Scott
<Thank you, and thank you for sharing, contributing, being part of it. Bob
Fenner>
L. guildi does appear to be
the closest match 11/13/09
Scotter, I've woken up a bit (finished my Java...) and I do think you are
right... re this ID... L. guildi does appear to be the closest match. BobF
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Purple Linckia (actually a Tamaria stria)
Have a 3" star that I got at local pet store 3-4 weeks ago. It has 6
legs, but from your description & pics on your sites, it is a purple.
Has been spotless & active. Anyhow, 3 days ago I noticed a tiny mass of
dingy white, translucent stuff on the top of its central disk. Star is
so small that I'm not sure, but it seemed to have been attached to its
madreporite or its "anus". The following day it had developed a few very
small white spots on 2 of its legs close to the central disk, and
yesterday I saw that there are real small areas of missing flesh
(vacu...something?) around these spots. No rotting flesh...yet. It's
still active as ever, but has pretty much lost use of its worst affected
arm. After reading other e-mails to you, I don't have much hope. And it
was so dang adorable! Thank you for you time...Tammy
<indeed...bad
signs. You might try abrading the soft tissue areas in a bucket of
seawater (then disposing) with a soft toothbrush. A short dip with reef
iodine at double dose might be therapeutic too. Focus on very good water
quality (skimming, water changes, chemical filters) and lets hope for
the best. Anthony> Red Linckia Starfish?
Hello is there
such thing as a red Linckia?
<Probably Echinaster luzonicus or a
Fromia sp.>
I just bought one but can't find any info
<You didn't
just buy something you didn't know how to care for, did you? Don't make
me yell at you. :) >
looks just like the blue Linckia but red. Any
info?
<Take a look here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm I
usually just let my blue Linckia eat whatever he finds, but I
occasionally feed him a piece of frozen Formula food.>
Thanks in
advance
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
Re: unknown star fish
Bob, A while back I asked you about a
star fish I had come to me by way of a candy cane coral I purchased.
You said you didn't have a clue what kind it was from my description
because there are so many different starfish. Well as luck would
have it I got a digital camera for Christmas, so here is a picture
of the little bugger. So as the man on the game
show would
say...Bob Fenner...name that star fish :) Thanks, Robert
<Tah
dah! It's a Linckia multifora. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
Bob Fenner> | 
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Linckia Stars
Dear Crew;
I have searched your
website many times over the years and I think it is an awesome
site. <Thank You> Anyway, my question is what kind of sea star do I
have. I purchased a sea star a couple of days ago that the dealer said
was a Blue Linckia and I suppose it could be. But it is not blue it is
a bluish green color with some mottling on it and blue tips on each of
the arms. Otherwise it does look like a Linckia sea star but I don' t
know if it actually is Linckia laevigata. Please help. The sea star is
fine by the way. <There are many types of Linckia stars. Without a pic
of it I could not give you a good answer. Do a search on the WWM,
keyword, Linckia starfish, and see if you can find a pic of it. James
(Salty Dog)>
Thanks,
James <Nice name>
- ID This -
Sorry, I just learned that AOL made me zip 'em.
<No worries...>
Hello-
<Oh, hello.>
I am new to marine
aquarium keeping and I have found a new creature on the live rock
that I (or anyone else I know) am unable to identify. A picture is
attached. It looks similar to a star fish having one extra long
leg. <That's exactly what it is, perhaps a Linckia... seastars have
an amazing regenerative capability... this star was probably reduced
to just a portion of the disk and the one leg, and it's just been
slowly growing back the missing parts. Neat acquisition.> It is
about 1.5" in length. The system has been running almost a
month. The live rock was added during the 2nd week. Everything
seems to be going well, in my humble opinion. I would like to know
what this creature is and if it will harm other organisms. <Probably
nothing to worry about... some seastars make a habit of eating
bi-valves, but others are less predatory. I'd keep it around.> I
find your website very informative. Thanks for all your
help. LH
<Cheers, J -- > | |
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