Blue Linckia
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=79684
Printed Date: April 27 2025 at 11:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Blue Linckia
Posted By: neurotivity
Subject: Blue Linckia
Date Posted: April 06 2016 at 9:38am
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Anybody have any long term experience with keeping a Blue Linckia in a mature tank? I've read countless articles on people keeping them with some success but in most cases they're doomed. If you have had any success in keeping one, were there any factors that seemed to help keep the starfish alive? I've read they presumably feed on bacterial film. If this is true would there be any specific bacteria that could be added to the tank to help keep the Linckia fed such as Microbacter7?
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Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 06 2016 at 10:16am
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We've had many discussions about this over the years. Connie is no longer in the hobby, but she was able to keep them for a couple years. Here is a thread where she talks about it: http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8363" rel="nofollow - http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8363 I found her post by doing a search for "blue linkia" in the Invertebrates section, selecting posts in the message body 1 year and older. There were a lot of threads about it, some of them offering ideas by other folks that had some success. I wonder what www.liveaquaria.com has to say about them, if they sell Blue Linkia. I usually agree with their care recommendations. Aloha, Mark  Here is one of my favorite pics from earlier days, before I decided I didn't like killing Sea Stars.   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: neurotivity
Date Posted: April 06 2016 at 10:33am
| I've read several threads on here including the one you linked along with the Advanced Aquarist article but my question on bacteria still stands. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 06 2016 at 11:27am
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Good point. I believe you're on the right track. It seems to me that one of the reasons Connie was able to do well with Sea Stars was because of feeding. She loved to feed more than most and with lots of variety. If I recall, at the time the idea of carbon dosing was just starting to be discussed. Feeding is pretty much the same as dosing Carbon. It feeds and encourages bacteria growth and also sponge growth, both of which seem to be major foods for many Stars. Here is a pic of an Asterina extending it's stomach to digest bacteria, algae and detritus on the glass.  Aloha, Mark
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: love2skiutah
Date Posted: April 06 2016 at 1:56pm
| I had my Blue Linkia for 6 years in my 120. Then it sat in a flipping tub with my live rock for 6 months with a heater and a bubbler while I got my 400 set up. It's been over 2 years and it's doing great in my 400 still. That said I've probably tried a dozen other blues and oranges over the last 10 years and they always die, except this one. |