ID this starfish
- Thread starter mhenning
- Start date
LeslieH
Premium Member
It's Fromia imdica. They're reef safe and feed on green algae, and possibly sponge, bacterial slime, detritus, and other such micro-organisms. The down side is that they're quite sensitive to changes in water chemistry, temperature, etc., which induces leg necrosis & death. Take a look at these two pages:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fromiastarfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fromiastarfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
SuperNerd
New member
LeslieH:
I thought the actual diet of these animals was unknown and most people simply cannot keep them longterm (ie they should be left in the ocean).
If its diet is known what do people suggest using for supplemental feeding if its food supply, in the system, becomes depleted?
I thought the actual diet of these animals was unknown and most people simply cannot keep them longterm (ie they should be left in the ocean).
If its diet is known what do people suggest using for supplemental feeding if its food supply, in the system, becomes depleted?
I do have lots of green algea on my rocks though, I will keep a close eye on him.
LeslieH
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6564152#post6564152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SuperNerd
I thought the actual diet of these animals was unknown and most people simply cannot keep them longterm (ie they should be left in the ocean).
If its diet is known what do people suggest using for supplemental feeding if its food supply, in the system, becomes depleted?
Unknown for most species, assumed by extrapolation from other examples for some, and known for a few. I've read that the mortality rates from the reef to the LFS is very high for most species & even more die soon after purchase due to shipping stress, poor acclimination, and high sensitivity to changes. Those that make it eventually die from starvation if they're not in large, old tanks with good suppplies of the right food. I feel they're better off staying on the reef.
The information I gave you came from the two websites, Ron's book on marine invertebrates, and Calfo & Fenner's book Marine Invertebrates. Ron's book includes 4 other species of Fromia but not F. indica; for each of them he says the primary food is sponge & maybe small epifauna. He also says "not suitable for most tanks; will often live for a year or so and then die of malnutrition." The websites says green algae & that supplemental feeding with meat will work. Maybe sponge food would be better. Hey, I'm a worm person who doesn't keep tanks..... what do I know?
