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FAQs about Sea Star Identification 6
Related Articles: Sea Stars,
Brittle 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: Sea Star ID 1,
Sea Star ID 2, Sea Star ID 3,
Sea Star ID 4, Seastar ID 5, &
CC Star Identification, Linckia
Identification,
Sandsifting Star ID, &
Sea Stars 1, Sea Stars 2,
Sea Stars 3, Sea Stars 4,
Sea Stars 5, Brittle Stars, 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, Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2, 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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Small Stars/Starfish ID
10/27/09
Hi Crew,
<Sammy>
I have a few small starfish that I assume are Asterina. The arms are
symmetrical and not like the kind where some arms are longer than
others. I think I have a new one that is a hitchhiker since I did not
see him before.
The colors are the same as my others but he is quite a bit larger. Would
probably cover a nickle. The tips of the arms arch upwards and it looks
as if there is a V notch at the end.
<Have you Googled? Will get many hits/photos of Asterina stars.>
I see him mostly on the rock and now he is on the back ( in an Aquapod).
Have not seen him on the glass yet. Just curious as to what it might be.
If I were to take a picture would you need to see the underside?
<Likely an Asterina, there are several different species of these
starfish.
One of us could likely ID it without a bottom photo.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Sam
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ID; Pentagonaster - 05/03/09
Hey,
<Hello Mitchell.>
We brought home some live rock the other day and after about an hour of it
being in the tank a little starfish appeared (I've attached the photo).
I've looked over all your information on starfish and still can't find a
photo to match it. Do you know what type of starfish it is?
<Looks like a Pentagonaster duebeni.>
Also, for about an hour after we noticed it, it moved around the rock it was
on, then went to sleep on the back of the rock when the lights went out. The
next morning when the lights came on, he was still on the back of the rock,
but then he slowly moved down and under the rock into a cave. Its been about
48hrs now and I still haven't seen it. Did it hide to die?
<Can't tell from the information given in your email. If the tank is well
established this is not likely. Long term survival is a different story. It
belongs to the family Goniasteridae and in general is not common in shallow
parts of the coral reefs. It feeds on sponges, bryozoans and sea squirts, a
diet which is hard to replicate in captivity unless you have tremendous
sponge growth in your tank or introduce new rocks with sponges every few
weeks.>
Thanks in advanced for your help,
Kind regards,
Mitchell.
<Welcome and good luck. Marco.>
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Re: Starfish ID
5/4/2009
Thanks for your reply :)
<Welcome.>
After doing some more research with the type you gave us, we actually
determined it is a Tosia queenslandensis as it was collected in Far North
Queensland, Australia.
<No... Beware, many online pictures of Tosia queenslandensis are actually
showing Pentagonaster duebeni. Tosia spp. have shorter arms, look like
larger, colourful Asterina stars, not like the picture you sent. And
Pentagonaster occurs around Queensland, too, so it is well possible it was
collected there.>
He seems to be slowly devouring all the sponge in the tank, but I still
haven't seen him. Is there any way to get him to come out during the day?
<If it does not come out at feeding time, you will hardly be able to
motivate the star to change its lifestyle.>
Thanks again for your help, Mitchell.
<No problem. Marco.>
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Star fish... CC, reading, gen. 4/9/09
Hi.
<Saludo>
I have a starfish that I have not been able to identify. He is shaped
exactly like the cc star but is a beautiful red/ orange color.
<Mmm, could still be a Protoreastor nodosus... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/seastars2.htm>
If you can help me identify the guy I'd truly appreciate it.
<A photo? Need this... >
Also, I have been reading through your site looking for more information
about the white patches that
have appeared on it's body. He/ she has been falling off the glass
lately and been unable to get back upright.
<... very bad>
It is eating frozen krill (which is all I've been able to locate in our
area to feed him/ her)
<Insufficient>
and is very active once I put it back in the upright position. The tank
which houses him is 80 gallons or so and all the levels are good.
<?>
I typically give ¼ water change every other week and also supplement
trace elements weekly. I feel that I am an experienced aquarist and have
had little to no problems maintaining aquariums for 18 years however
this guy has me stumped. Please help us.
Thanks
D
<Help yourself. Read: http://wetwebmedia.com/chocchipstars.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: star fish, ID plus, P. lincki
4/10/09
Here's a pic of the star fish in question.
Water conditions in 80 gallon tank
Salinity 1.025
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ammonia 0
PH 8.2
Temp 76
Feeding him 3 times a week the krill and sea veggies.
Thanks again for all your help
<Oh! Another of the same genus... Is where you were referred previously to
read. Go there. BobF>
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Unknown Sea Star 3/10/09
I have had this critter in my reef setup for two months now. I have been
noticing some interesting things happening that has led me to believe him to
be not reef safe. As soon as the lights go out he seems to go after my two
very large turbo snails and my electric blue hermit crab, without luck due
to their size. I caught him this morning with one of my nice new fancy conch
snails in his mouth. I pull him out of the tank (pulling the snail with him)
and banished him to the sump until i can find him a new home. Any ideas what
this guy is? i was told he is a reef safe sand sifter.
Thoughts?
<Mmm... is a sand sifter... looks like a juvenile Archaster typicus... is
NOT "reef safe", but a consumer of most all small in-fauna (and above)
vagile invertebrates. Bob Fenner>
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Sea Star ID 1/31/09
Hi!
<Hello>
I'm a biologist
working on asexual sea stars
<Interesting.>
and I'm curious about
the little tan/white hitchhikers so common in aquaria. Specifically, I
am trying to track down where they are coming from as I am convinced
that they are an undescribed species. I have been working with these
animals for 5 years and am fairly certain they belong to the genus
Aquilonastra (its a new genus- 2004), but having gone through the
diagnostic characters for all the species yet described, nothing
matches. I also suspect that there are several undescribed species in
aquaria around the world from examining photographs on-line. New species
from the wild are being described every year.
Obviously they are
hitchhikers on live rock, but my question is where is that live rock
coming from? The Philippines?
Fiji? Tahiti? My local retail supplier
cannot say and will not give me his wholesale supplier's contact
information.
<By your short description, my first guess would be
Asterina stars.
I can tell you what I know about them if that is
indeed what you are tracking down.
Class: Asteroidea
Order:
Spinulosida
Asterina starfish, commonly known as Fiji starfish are
generally dime sized or smaller with a large body, irregular arm length,
and an irregular number of arms. They tend to hide among corals and in
the crevices of the live rock during the day. This type of starfish has
been known to eat coralline algae and some corals; specifically
Acropora, xenia, green star polyps, Zoanthids, and several types of soft
leather corals. These starfish divide across the main body with two or
three legs of varying lengths and multiply rapidly. Fiji is one area
where they are found, Bob may input other areas. Take a look at the
photos in this link for comparison.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm>
Any help would be most
appreciated!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Re:
Sea Star ID 1/31/09
Thank you James!
<You're welcome.>
I got interested in them as I had a reef tank and got curious. I am now
in the process of publishing several papers on the factors that control
their reproduction.
<Interesting. Do keep us posted.>
I never had
any problems with them eating corals- not even the coralline algae and
they seemed to eat only the diatoms and green algae on the coral
substrate and glass walls of the aquarium.
<I'm sure not all species
eat corals.>
There are about a dozen described species of asexual
Asterina stars from the Indo-Pacific, but none described from East of
Palau/New Guinea. So I'm thinking there are likely many more species out
there.
<Yes.>
If some of these animals are known from Fiji, I
would very much like to get my hands on some but they have to be from a
known location. The animals that I have been using came from the
university aquaria and the local reef tank supplier. I would like to be
able to compare the two stars to see if they are the same. Then at least
I'll know where they come from!
But I would need to be able to talk
with a supplier- and maybe their supplier- to get this information.
Might anyone you know be able to help?
<I'm sure Bob has many
contacts, he may input/help here.>
I really do appreciate the
information you have already shared.
Thank you!
<You're welcome,
and do share your progress with us.
James (Salty Dog)>
Ken
White starfish with some grey on it's back, 12/02/08
I have
noticed a number of small white starfish with shades of grey on their
backs in my tank. These are hitchers for live rock. My question is two
pronged:
Are they harmful to my corals (nano coral, polyp coral and
star polyp coral)?
<No, most likely beneficial detritivores.>
What
type of starfish are they?
<Most likely either of the Class
Ophiuroidea, or Asterina. Either way they are beneficial and pretty
cool.>
I can attempt to download a pic, but they are so small they
are mostly blurry.
<Most likely not necessary, look on the web for
pictures of these to see which one fits what you have,>
Thanks
Mike
<Welcome>
<Chris>
Star Identification: Possible Oreaster sp. – 10/29/08
Good morning,
<Hi Janet, Lynn here this morning.>
This star
climbed out of a rather deep hole in a new rock I just purchased.
<Wow!>
Can you tell me what type of star it is so I can look up
information on how to take care of him?
<It could be a species
in the genus Oreaster. Unfortunately, I can’t quite see enough
detail in the photos to be able to narrow it down further. Please
see the center photo at the top of the following link (as well as
related info there). The specimen shown appears lighter than the one
you have, but color can vary:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm >
I¹m new to all of this
(cycled my 75 gallon FOWLR last month, all is well!) and want to
keep it healthy.
<Sounds like you’re well on your way!>
Thanks
so much,
Janet
<You’re very welcome. Take care, -Lynn> |
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Starfish, Asterina? 9/16/08
Hi Bob,
<Hi, but
not Bob, Chris here.>
I live in Louisiana and I lost power for about
a week due to hurricane Gustav. I have a 29gal FOWL tank that has about
30 pounds of live rock and 1 inch of live sand. A percula clown and a
polyp colony were the only things in the tank and they made it through
the outage.
<Sorry>
The tank has been running for about 9 months.
When I returned home I noticed 4 to 5 small starfish that I had never
seen before. They are all missing at least 2 legs and are white on the
bottom with a little brown on the top. I am guessing that they came out
because the lights were off for so long. The power has been back on for
about two weeks now and I still see them occasionally.
<Most likely
Asterinas, common in many tanks.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinaidf.htm >
I was wondering why they
are coming out now and what kind they may be?
<Their numbers are most
likely increasing due to the die off and increased food sources after
the power outage.>
Also, could they be harmful to anything else in
the tank?
<Doubtful.>
Thanks very much (Your book The
Conscientious Marine Aquarist got me into the hobby)
Adam
<Welcome>
<Chris>
Starfish Identification – 07/28/08
Hi Crew,
<Hello
Laurie.>
First off, let me say thank you for the time all of you
spend writing articles and answering hobbyists e-mails!
<Thanks
for your kind words.>
Many of my questions have been answered by
browsing through your site.
<Very good.>
A couple months ago
I purchased a 'chocolate chip' starfish although I am not sure if
that is actually what it is. Of all the chocolate chip starfish
pictures and animals I have seen, I have not seen one quite like
this. The attached photos show the front and back of the starfish I
purchased. It does appear to be a meat eater as the it readily
accepts chunks of raw muscles and raw/cooked shrimp.
<Ah, yes.
The entire family (Oreasteridae) are omnivores with carnivore
tendencies, mostly eat bivalves in nature, but some also soft
corals. It appears to be a Protoreaster, but not one of the two
common species (P. nodosus and P. linckii). Its coloration on the
picture somewhat resembles Pentaceraster mammilatus and P.
tuberculatus, but the shape does not. Compare to
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastarfaq5.htm. I’d ID it so far as
Protoreaster sp., but with the animal in front of you, maybe you see
more resemblance with one of the Pentaceraster spp. Care for them is
the same anyway. All can reach a diameter of 1 foot.>
I have
another question too, in the background of the photos I am sure that
you can see the diatoms that have built up on the glass. Are diatoms
indicative of nutrient buildup in the water and an indication that I
need to do more water changes?
<They are either indicative of a
very young system or too much silicon (not silicone) in the water.
Should go away by themselves if you use silicon free water for water
changes.>
Do I just need to wipe off the glass more?
<You can
do that.>
Do I need more water movement?
<Should be
sufficient, but more can be added if you see too much detritus
accumulating.>
The aquarium is a 20T with 20 lbs of live rock, a
Top Fin Powerhead 30, and a CPR Bak-Pak 2 protein skimmer. I try to
do a bi-weekly water change of 3 gallons, but honestly, I do not
meet this goal 100% of the time.
<Nitrate measurements are a
good indicator for water changes.>
In habitants of this aquarium
include the following:
- starfish in the photos
- another
chocolate chip starfish
- 2 blue legged hermit crabs + 3 new
hermit crabs added yesterday
- a small cleaner shrimp
- a
pink/blue spotted watchman goby
- 2 Astrea snails added
yesterday
<Snails may be eaten if the starfish can get them.>
Thanks you so much for your time,
Laurie
<You are welcome.
Marco.> |  
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ID please - some sort of star? – 06/04/08
Hello,
<Hi>
I
found this thing in the tank - it is approximately 1/4" in diameter,
perhaps 3/16". I used a macro lens to capture it up close. I do not know
what it is - my tank is approximately 3 weeks old and this is the first
time I've seen it. The lights were on and had been on for 8+ hours so it
apparently isn't afraid of lights.
<Nice picture.>
Any idea what
it is? If I should remove it, how should I pull it out? I assume it is
not safe to handle without using tweezers, etc.
<It looks like an
Asterina star. See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm . Some
report problems with them, when they occur in large numbers and use
Harlequin shrimp http://www.wetwebmedia.com/harlequinshrimp.htm with all
the associated problems to get rid of them. However, they behave well
and are very beneficial in the majority of reef tanks. I would leave it
in there. They can be touched or collected with tweezers or hands.>
Thanks again for the great website!
<You are welcome. Marco.> | 
Very nice pic! RMF
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Star ID Please… Fromia (monteporella or ghardaqana)
3/17/08
Hello Crew,
<Hi there Nick, Mich here.>
I have
a star that I need help in identifying.
<OK, lets see what we
can do! Is a Fromia from the Red Sea. Looks like a Ghardaqa brittle
star (Fromia ghardaqana) or possibly an elegant sea star (Fromia
milleporella)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
According to Nilsen and Fossa, the blue spotted version of the
Fromia Milleporella is from the Red Sea, though I wonder if it was
incorrectly identified in the "Reef Secrets" book. unfortunately
these beautiful creatures, along with most all sea stars do not do
well in captivity and usually slowly die from starvation. I would
urge to avoid buying any sea stars in the future. Instead consider a
red/ruby brittle star (Ophioderma spp.) as seen here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm >
I figure I'd ask
the pro's.
<Heehee! Well I'm not a pro. The only Pro I Know is
Steven! Heehee!>
I hope all is well.
<Tis! Thank you! Wish
you well.>
Thanks, Nick.
<Welcome, Mich>
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w227/milesqreefer/?action=view¤t=117
_1784.jpg
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w227/milesqreefer/?action=view¤t=117_1784.jpg | 
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Sand-sifting Starfish… Reproduction… Doubtful… Likely Asterinas
3/12/08
Dear WWM:
<Hi Suzanne, Mich here.>
First of all,
thank you soooo much for the wealth of information that you provide. It
has been invaluable to me.
<To me too! Is how I learned as well.>
My son-in-law got me started on saltwater fish and I have thoroughly
enjoyed it.
<Congrats! Welcome to the club!>
I had a 30-gallon
tank (have since graduated to 75 gal.) and in it I had a Sand-sifting
Starfish among other things. The Star was about 3.5 inches in diameter
and was so much fun as I watched him disappear in the sand and climb the
sides of the aquarium.
<And decimated your sand bed?>
After
about 8 months he started to look thin.
<Starfish generally starve
to death in captivity, sand sifting included.>
I gave him to my
son-in-law and it did better for several months and then wasted away and
died.
<Starved.>
Not long after that he started noticing these
tiny white specks in his tank - hundreds of them. As they grew, we
realized that they were Starfish! Some had five arms, others had three
or four (fish probably were munching on them). Now they are about 3/8
inch in diameter and it looks like someone poured a can of Campbell's
Chicken and Stars soup in the tank!
<Just as likely to be Campbell’s
as baby sand sifting stars.>
When the tank is dark they are all over
the front and sides of the glass. It is incredible. What is more
incredible is that there was only ONE Starfish to start with. How in the
world did that Starfish reproduce??
<It didn't.>
I read all that
you had on Starfish on your site and it talks about mating. There was no
mate to mate with.
<I would be shocked if it wasn't an entirely
different species, likely Asterina by the sounds of it.>
I took six
home and put in my tank. When and if they get bigger I will give the
surviving ones to our LFS and keep only one for my tank.
<Mmm, do
they look like this?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinaidf.htm >
What are your thoughts
on this phenomenon?
<I don't think it's a phenomenon.>
What is my
son-in-law to do with all those starfish.
<Mmm, Harlequin shrimp?
Just kidding. I don't recommend to anyone who is not seriously committed
to keeping these beautiful shrimp that only eat live starfish. Please
don't go buy one to combat your starfish issue.>
There are certainly
not enough nutrients in his sand bed for all of them.
<Might be for
Asterinas, they are generally self limiting.>
Should he wait and see
how big they get assuming they may not survive for very long of get them
out of the tank now? That will be no small chore!!
<Lets determine
what is actually in the tank before crossing this bridge.>
Sincerely
Suzanne
<Any chance of getting a picture?
Cheers, Mich>
Sand-sifting Starfish… Reproduction… Doubtful… Likely Asterinas… Is
Asterina 3/13/08
Dear Mich:
<Hi Suzanne!>
Thanks for your response.
<Welcome!>
I have four pictures for
you.
<Excellent! Thanks for capturing some images.>
I would have
liked to have gotten you a view when he (she? it?) was on the glass, but
I haven't seem them on the glass in my tank in about a week.
<No
worries.>
In fact I though they might have died.
<Not necessarily
a bad thing per se. Some folks report some species of Asterina to be
predatory on Zoanthids>
It looks exactly like a miniature sand-sifter
to me and he moves very sloooow like one. I can see why you would
question that. What do you think from the picture? I wasn't familiar
with Asterinas.
<You have Asterina stars.>
Thanks,
Suzanne
<Welcome! Mich> | 
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Starfish Identification? 03/11/2008
A friend of mine was diving
in the Gulf Of Mexico off Florida's west coast and thought he was doing
me a favor by bringing back two starfish for me.
I have had them in
an isolation tank for a month now trying to look at pictures and figure
out just what these are. I searched geographically and can't seem to
find anything.
Wondering if these are going to last or if they are
reef safe. Well actually a scientific name would be all I need to do
some research.
<<From what i can make out from the pictures, i would
say that is a Echinaster spinulosus>>
I have spent a month looking on
and off and am ready to throw in the towel so figured I would shoot you
off some pictures and you can put me out of my research misery.
Thanks for any help ! Ralph
<<Hope this helps. A Nixon>> | 
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Seastar ID 03/12/2008
Hi Crew,
<<G'Morning, Andrew today>>
I purchased an unusual looking Seastar for my tank and I cannot seem to
find it on the web. I was figuring you can help me ID it. I've enclosed
a picture of it. It looks like a chocolate chip star but has blue,
yellow and black on its legs with crimson color at the peak of the
"chips". Even after five years in the hobby, I saw it and made the
impulse purchase before reading about the animal or really asking the
vendor.
<<Yes, this is a Protoreaster SP. star...Should be treated
as the same as a CC star>>
For now, I'll treat it as a c.c. star and
put it in my macro algae tank instead of my reef tank. I'd appreciate
any help you can give me so I can take care of my new pet.
Thanks,
Aaron
<<Thanks for the question. A Nixon>> | 
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Starfish Identification: Cushion star? - 12/31/07
Hi Bob and Crew
<Hi Claire. I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding!>
Got
this lovely starfish as a hitchhiker, but don't know what species it is,
or if it is coral friendly - any ideas??
<It is indeed a lovely
little sea star! Unfortunately, after going through every resource at
hand, I’m stumped as to what species it is. It could be a juvenile that
looks very different from its mature counterpart, or simply a species
that hasn’t been photographed/identified in my sources. It does look a
bit like a Cushion/Biscuit star, however, so I’d keep an eye on it and
your corals.>
Thanks
Claire
<You’re very welcome! I just wish
I could have been more help! –Lynn>
<<Mmm, maybe an Asterina
sp.... A. phylactica?
http://www.asturnatura.com/photo/photogallery/galerias.php?photo_id=583
RMF>>Re: Starfish
identification – 1/2/08
<<Mmm, maybe an Asterina sp.... A.
phylactica?
http://www.asturnatura.com/photo/photogallery/galerias.php?photo_id=583
RMF>>
<Thanks, Bob! I spent way too long yesterday looking for that
little guy. I finally found something that looked about right, but it
was a photo at a dead link. Talk about frustrating! I wasn't happy with
the general answer I gave, but thought I'd exhausted all possible
sources in the search. Well, I got up this morning with that little star
still on my mind, so I cued up Bob Marley, and did a little more
digging. This time I found the current link for that photo. I'm not sure
if what's shown is the same star, but the similarities are promising.
They have the same general coloring, same markings between the arms, and
what looks like at least a partial ring on some. It's hard to believe
all those are the same species, but I guess they vary quite a bit.
Here's the link:
http://www.bluering.org.au/chpt17b.htm . What do you think? -Lynn>
>Does look like Tosia australis...
RMF< | 
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Hitchhiking Star ID... Reef Safe? - 12/13/07
<Hi Wes>
I found
this lil' bugger and nabbed him up so that hopefully I can get an ID.
What you see is about all I know! My first guess was Fromia elegans, but
looking at the google pics, I'm thinking not. So, I formally submit my
guess of Linckia multifora. Ehh? Ehh? ahhh, lemmie know whatcha think.
<I think I’m having a hard time distinguishing the color(s) of those
splotches on the dorsal side! However, based on your tentative Id, I’m
guessing they’re reddish. What you have could indeed be Linckia
multifora, or something along the lines of Leiaster coriaceus. Please
see the following links for comparison/info:
http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/inverts/echinoderms/starfish/Lcoriaceus.htm,
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/toonen.htm
Unfortunately, I can’t answer with any certainty whether this creature
will be reef safe, or not. Time, and observation, will tell.>
Wes
<Take care -Lynn>
Re: Hitchhiking Star ID... Reef Safe? - 12/14/07
<Hi, Wes>
One
of the reasons I had a hard time deciding on a solid ID was because the
spots are most certainly not red or even reddish... They are a dull
brown, with a light greyish/brown background. Does that help at all?
<Hee - well, sort of! Linckias can vary a great deal in color/pattern.
I’ve looked through every resource at hand and still don’t have a match.
Along with the “typical” red mottled individuals, I’ve seen a photo of a
supposed L. multifora that was a bright pink/magenta combo! Check it
out: http://www.meerwasser-lexikon.de/eng/76/1736/Linckia/multifora.htm.
I’ve seen others that were more of a solid yellowish brown (no real
mottling), one that was a mottled yellow and light brown, and one
possible ID that was a mottled blue! I can’t find much in the way of
photos on Leiaster coriaceus, but one other I did see this morning,
barely looked like the one I mentioned yesterday (in color/pattern).
Talk about confusing! You could have a species I/we haven’t run across
in our searching, or simply a color variant of one we have. It’s also
possible that the star you have used to be a different color, but due to
conditions it was in previously, has altered/discolored (maybe diet
related as well). Lighting is also a factor for how the color appears
(in photos, as well as in the aquarium). Bottom line – I’m sorry as can
be, but I still can’t narrow down what species you have.>
Still
curious,
<Me too!>
Wes
<Take care -Lynn> | 
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