Blue Linckia study

[David@wegetkraken]

My Blue Linckia Sea Star is acclimating well

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Spent some time at the top of the tank, which had me concerned, but back at being beautiful now. Tank is a 120 and over a year old. Given their "known" diet I wouldn't try this species with anything smaller of newer.

 

[radiata]

I give up, what's their "known" diet?

 

[David@wegetkraken]

That's why it is in quotes... nobody is 100% sure. LiveAquaria will tell you clam or tablets....some say Asteria Stars...most say bacteria that grows on your rockwork and why you shouldn't have them in new or small systems or they'll starve. Thus far I haven't been able to get him to eat anything spot fed so I am currently in the rock bacteria camp.

 

[Haus]

Bought a linkia Star when I unknowingly shouldn’t have....tank was 4 months old and had fish in it for two. Two years later it’s bigger and beautiful and grabs everyone’s attention.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Awesome!! First time I've attempted one given their reputation. Have you successfully target fed it anything?

 

[radiata]

I think "biofilm" is the term used in early Blue Linkia descriptions. (Curiously enough, an example of biofilm is your very own dental plaque!)

Here's some anecdotal data for you: Twenty-odd years back I had a friend who ran a part-time importing and wholesale business. (Pick up a shipment from the airport on Sunday night and acclimate ~ fax an availability list during the week to his retailers ~ deliver the fauna on Saturday, and all while having a full time job.) He had many tanks in his basement, and the upper rear corner of one got some accidental direct sunlight every morning. A Blue Linkia lived in the algae in that tank corner for over 5 years. Which, unfortunately, begs more questions than it answers...

 

[Haus]

Only time it reacted to any food was when I received baby brine from algae barn; it came to the top and extended two arms out into the water column. That's the only time I’ve seen it reach like that. The package of brine lasted a few days and it reacted like that several times. Otherwise, travels all around the tank, contorting itself under racks and in rock crevices, even bear-hugs the heater on occasion. Bio-film, diatoms, algae, pods-no idea, but I got lucky. The kids love it.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Awesome, mine does the same. I'll get an order in for some baby brine as well just to be safe. Appreciate the insights!

 

[Trio91]

Try adding BRS reef chili to your tank and see what happens. Although a different star, my serpent star goes nuts when I put some of that into my tank.

Just a random thought

 

[David@wegetkraken]

I use Reef Roids, but I'll definitely see how he reacts the next time I spot feed my coral.

 

[MadReefer]

Mine are the mini dtars, Denis and anthelia. Also. Algae and other stuff. Dinos I had lost it but will get another in 6 months.

 

[Haus]

I also use reef chili-never noticed a reaction to it but maybe that has something that’s helped sustain it in my system.