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Related FAQs:
Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2,
Linckia Identification, 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,
Related Articles: Sea Stars, Sand Sifters, An Introduction to the
Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and
More... By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Genus Valenciennea
Gobies, Deep
Sand Beds, Live Sand, Biofiltration,
Denitrification, Live
Sand, Live Rock,
/A Diversity of Aquatic Life
Linckia/Linkia,
A Mix of Species, Hardiness Group of Sea Stars
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by Bob Fenner
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In Kona |
About "Linckia" Stars: There are a great many seastars sold
as Linckia/Linckia spp. that are decidedly of other genera. Some are not peaceful
bacterial et al. detritus feeders as the "true" Linckias of many
colors (and at least two species). Do make sure and get a positive
identification to species, and research the nutritional, and system size and
type needs before purchasing stars. The true Linckias are good choices where
available in initially healthy condition, and placed in established, large
systems (at least a hundred gallons) with plenty of live rock, detritus to feed
on, and not too many competitors. Named in honor of J.H. Linck who wrote a
monograph of seastars in 1733. Tropical Atlantic and Pacific.
| Linckia columbiae the Fragile Seastar. Semi-tropical
Linckia species found in the eastern Pacific. One off of San Diego
California in the process of sampling/eating a sea anemone. |
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| Linckia guildingi Gray 1840, the Green Linckia.
Usually with five (sometimes 4 or 6) arms that are cylindrical in cross
section. Skin appears smooth but is coarse with low, hard nodules. Though
called "green" occurs in other colors (tan, beige, brown, blue,
reddish). Big Island Hawaii pix. |
 
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| Linckia
laevigata (Linnaeus 1758), Linckia, Linckia... Seastar. Blue and greenish ones in Fiji. Also found
in other colors, brown, tans, violet to burgundy, even mottled... And
there are other species of the genus offered to the trade. This animal is
very (95+ % IME) often doomed from the retailer to aquarists... having
suffered too much damage and neglect in the process of collection,
holding, shipping... Look for damage (ex. right) and avoid such obviously
poor specimens. In the wild this is an algae, bacteria, detritus feeder...
that needs space (hundreds of gallons) and mulm (muck, dirt, call it what
you will, on the bottom of its system to survive. My advice, look to other
genera, species of seastars. |
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| A Purple "Linckia", Tamaria stria Gray 1840.
Eastern Pacific; Baja to Columbia. Need rock substrate for habitat, not
over-zealously clean. Best kept one to a tank. Family Ophidiasteridae. |
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