starfish care (blue/orange)

[RICKY81]

i'm interested in buying some starfish but the color blue and/or orange ones, but many people say that they die easily and they need special kind of a blue algae. and if so does any one know where to get a hold of the algae, and is what they say true. Any suggestions or recommendations will greatly be appreciated.

[caferacermike]

Linkia stars. I've also seem them as Linika.

These are very fragile and can be difficult. The idea is that it is best to wait a year or longer before adding one. I've not heard the idea that they eat "blue algae" My understanding is that it is not fully known what keeps them going but an aged tank with plenty of what ever it is provides a better chance of survival.

Start with a banded serpent star as they eat just about whatever passes through the water but leave fish and inverts alone. The green/yellow brittle stars are known to kill and eat display fish.

[C.Mydas]

Here's some good info:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/linckiastars.htm

I've never heard of the blue algae thing. But 'what' they eat is very sketchy. The consensus is that they are VERY hard to keep long term. They need large tanks and aged tanks.

Maybe someone who knows more will chime in.

[bigmoe21]

just dont rip out their stomachs when theyre eating :wink_smile:..i didnt know the first time i had a star, i thought it was dead

[engwife36]

I've had my blue linkia now for almost 2 years. I've always had him in a large tank but I've know people to keep them with success in a 30 gallon. Mine moves all over the tank. It'll be on the glass one hour then between rocks on the other side of the tank the next. I've always been told not to let air touch them and not to touch them with your hands. This is good practice to follow.......but I've taken mine out of the water to move it from tank to tank and I touched it my my bare hands and never had a problem with it.

I think the key is, as with most of everything in this hobby, is how it is acclimated. I don't mean just how you did it but the fish stores and their supplier and down the chain.

[RICKY81]

well sorry people for taking a while to put some imput to your comments but all this information you all have provided really helps. and that for everything really appreciate, i will give it a shot, see what happens to the starfish. as for now i only have one that is (pink with white dots) and seems to be doing fine for now. I've only had for about 3 weeks for now.

[FSU]

just dont rip out their stomachs when theyre eating :wink_smile:..i didnt know the first time i had a star, i thought it was dead

Funny thing is, I can picture you doing that! :rofl:

[bigmoe21]

haha yup..how's that wrasse tank going? haha
Funny thing is, I can picture you doing that! :rofl:

[FSU]

haha yup..how's that wrasse tank going? haha

:rofl:

[JLiu]

well sorry people for taking a while to put some imput to your comments but all this information you all have provided really helps. and that for everything really appreciate, i will give it a shot, see what happens to the starfish. as for now i only have one that is (pink with white dots) and seems to be doing fine for now. I've only had for about 3 weeks for now.

Sounds like a tile starfish to me which require different care. Got pictures?

[RICKY81]

sorry no pictures, i cant seem to find the charger to my camera. so i haven't taken any pictures of it yet. but i'll see what i can do,might use my camcorder or cell if possible.

[engwife36]

:rofl:


i get it too:rofl::lauging::rofl: