Blue linkia starfish

[fatoldsun]

Anyone have any experience with these – or any horror stories? Someone local to me is breaking down a tank and selling off their stuff. I’m really in the market for some LPS and some softies but he has some interesting stuff and if he decides to part out, he had one of these in the mix. What I’ve read says they are really hard to keep unless you have a VERY stable and established tank. I do not have that. I am early in my stocking with a pretty young tank. The rock is fairly well established and I know they like that (although no one seems certain what they eat) but as I stock and work to get my system stable I imagine things will fluctuate a bit – if this seems like a bad idea to anyone with experience with these I’d hate to put it at risk just because I think they are cool looking

Oh, and while I’m asking – how do you QT something that needs such a stable environment? Do these fit into the category of CUC that most people don’t QT?

 

[Hawkeye]

They are so beautiful. It'***** or miss with them as far i understand - but i think i read that the death rate is insanely high before they even make it to the LFS. So i would be more inclined to pick one up from someone else. no experience with them - i think it was mentioned to NOT expose this star to air...so if you do get em - keep that in mind. Now that could be complete internet hogwash or something to be wary of. sorry i can't give you first hand help on this.

 

[fatoldsun]

Thanks hawkeye -that's helpful. I stumbled on the air exposure thing too. Sounded like people were mixing in cuke rules I guess b/c they look similar in texture ??? Anyway the death rate b4 hitting the LFS was new so good to hear. Bit all that said the guy is MIA now so maybe he unloaded it already.

 

[dnov99]

I had one for 5 years and lost it months ago on an ALK spike. I have tried two more since and they died after a month. They actually feed on asterina stars which alot of people dont know, so if you have them it greatly increases their longevity. As far as the air exposure thing, its a complete myth.

If you dont take it from the guy, I would certainly take it as it would do much better since its been in captivity. They do need stable parameters as was evidenced by mine dying mine from a minor ALK spike...

 

[NikkiT]

They are gorgeous. However, from an animal welfare standpoint, i wouldn't do it. It is a healthy star; that is a rarity: don't you want to give it the best chance It can possibly have?
Also, IMHO, Darren runs the most stable system I have ever seen. If that someone local is still looking for a home for the linkia, in my honest opinion, a 90 g set up, that has only been running for a short time is not a great option for a linkia.

 

[MadReefer]

I have one going on 2 years I got from an established reefer breaking down. It definitely eats asternia stars as I had tons and now not many. It will eat stuff off the LR and glass if it must. Also, I can't keep Xenia or Anthellia in my tank. The linkia is always on that piece of LR and eventually the coral slowly disappears. I believe its eating the coral but have been told I am crazy. If you can't provide a suitable environment for it then you should pass on it IMO.

 

[fatoldsun]

Well, enough guilt was laid on me that I guess I'll let it go - maybe someday

 

[NikkiT]

Well, enough guilt was laid on me that I guess I'll let it go - maybe someday

This isn't guilt
You asked the question beforehand, not after- which if anything means you should be patted on the back for investigating the needs of the animal, and putting those first.

 

[fatoldsun]

Well, enough guilt was laid on me that I guess I'll let it go - maybe someday

This isn't guilt
You asked the question beforehand, not after- which if anything means you should be patted on the back for investigating the needs of the animal, and putting those first.

yeah, but I really like them and I know my kids would too so really the only reason I didn't take a chance was the guilt (I guess as long as I end up in the right place, the route isn't as important)- given my family heritage and background I guess I'm conditioned to respond to guilt ;D - anyway it's something to work towards and I also knew going in to this that patience would be hard for me - I have to keep reminding myself that my tank's a baby and I barely have 6 months of saltwater experience so but all in good time

 

[MadReefer]

This was meant to make you feel guilty. Believe me there are many animals I would love to keep in my tank but I know I don't have the skills or environment for them. So I enjoy them in other people's tanks and aquariums. maybe some day I will be able to keep some of them.
When your tank is established you can try one, the purples are cool too. I would look for a reefer giving it up from an established tank or a vendor that supports the club.

 

[shipwrecked]

I agree with others that posted.I had one for a little over a year in my old 90 gal,but that tank was 5 yrs established.I wouldnt try keeping one in a relatively new tank,kinda like putting a mandarin fish in a tank less than a year old.

 

[Hawkeye]

interesting read from an article written about 10 years ago:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/inverts

 

[MadReefer]

Oops. That is typo it should read "This was not meant to make you feel guilty".

This was meant to make you feel guilty. Believe me there are many animals I would love to keep in my tank but I know I don't have the skills or environment for them. So I enjoy them in other people's tanks and aquariums. maybe some day I will be able to keep some of them.
When your tank is established you can try one, the purples are cool too. I would look for a reefer giving it up from an established tank or a vendor that supports the club.

Phil, Thanks for the link.

 

[fatoldsun]

Oops. That is typo it should read "This was not meant to make you feel guilty".

I kind of appreciated the sarcasm
...but the support's appreciated too

 

[howze01]

I was in talking to Feng today and he said that he has kept Linkias for a long time in a dark sump. Any chance that light would affect them?

 

[dnov99]

I was in talking to Feng today and he said that he has kept Linkias for a long time in a dark sump. Any chance that light would affect them?

I doubt it, the one I had for 5 years was under a 1200 watt fixture, and whats the point of having one in a dark sump if you cant see it and enjoy it. : LOL

 

[MadReefer]

I have kept mine under T5 lights and the last few months under PC. I don't see a change in behavior so far.