Linkia and SPS

[MadReefer]

Every time an SPS frag fell to the tank bottom during the night it would be all white the next morning. I assumed because it fell into the sand. Well this morning I may have found the culprit. A 3" branching monti frag fell and I could not find it. Finally my blue linkia starfish moved from behind a rock and there was the frag with parts of it all white. I didn't realize they eat SPS polyps. Never touches the zoas or plays. Could be coincidence but none the less interesting.

 

[Hawkeye]

interesting! another theory i heard was that they eat asterina stars.

 

[MadReefer]

Phil, I do believe that about the stars. I had hundreds and after adding the Linkia they slowing went away. I still have a few and one time my son claims to have seen it eat a star. I wasn't home at that time unfortunately. Also, I have seen this Linkia crawl all over Xenia I had. Not sure if it ate it or smothered it to death. But each time a few polyps would disappear.

 

[falconut]

I had a Blue Linkia and SPS before and had no issues. But, not every animal is the same. Maybe you've got a bad one.

 

[dnov99]

Mark its quite possible the linkia was eating dead tissue off the monti frag and not actually eating the monti. I have had a blue linkia for 5 years with SPS and never had an issue. Phil, yes they do eat asterina stars...

 

[MadReefer]

Good point Darren.

 

[bmoney]

that is intersting to know that the blue linkia eat asterina stars. But as far as the coral frags go there could also be little critters in the substrat that are munching on them and the blue linkia is taking advantage of what is left. just a though.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Only one way to find out Mark. Break off a small tip of an SPS and try to feed it to the Linkia. See if it has any interest.

There's a chance it might eat xenia? Hmm, maybe I want one now. Mine can get out of control some times, lol. Even if it just killed some... that wouldn't be too bad either.