Become a Sponsor

 
Home
Information Pages:
Marine Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
(enter words you'd like highlighted in this page)
Freshwater Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
Planted Aquarium
Articles/ FAQs
Brackish Systems
Articles/ FAQs
Popular Pages:
Features:
Daily FAQs
FW Daily FAQs
SW Pix of the Day
FW Pix of the Day
Conscientious Aquarist Magazine
New On WWM
Helpful Links
Hobbyist Forum bb.WetWebMedia
Ask the WWM Crew a Question
Calendars
Search Feature
Admin Index
Cover Images



FAQs about Sea Star Identification 6

Related Articles: Sea Stars, Brittle StarsAsterina 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 StarsSeastar 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,

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

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

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.>

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.>

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> 

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>

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>

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.>

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

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&current=117
_1784.jpg
http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w227/milesqreefer/?action=view&current=117_1784.jpg

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>

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>>

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>>

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<

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>






Featured Sponsors:
Google
 
Web www.WetWebMedia.com