Linka vs. sand sifting Star

[thecichlidpleco]

I currently have a sand sifting star and now realize that I do not need him since my bed is only a inch or two deep. All they do is eat up beneficial sand inhabitants until all are gone and then they starve. I am now looking at getting rid of him and getting a blue linka. Will I have the same problem with the linka eating up everything and not being worth it?

 

[AquaKnight]

I'm in the exact same position. Was con'ed into a sand sifter after being told it was good. I'm looking at a blue linckia as well for a replacement. I believe they are benefical, they don't eat the good, just algae. The catch I'm thinking is they might get a bit big for our tanks (your 40 or my 30).

 

[thecichlidpleco]

The LFS I would buy from only has 8 inch diameter blue linkas, smaller orange, but I hate the orange.

 

[AquaKnight]

Same here, not too fond of the orange, I already have an red/orange tree sponge. The blues were too big, might see if the LFS can order a smaller one specifically.

 

[wrasseguy2]

linkia starfish seem to starve after about a year and in a tank of your size 40gal you would not be able to have enough live rock for these guys to feed from if i were you and you want a starfish that bad get a serpent or brittle star but stay away from the green serpents they will eat your fish...if they are small enough.

 

[thecichlidpleco]

I already have a serpent, so I guess I should just get rid of the sand sifter.

 

[drksails]

starfish

starfish

From what I understand the bluee lincka only survives a short time in captivity. I own a red linka starfish that has been in my system for 8 mos. This little guy has been healthy and vibrant the whole time. I would go for the red or burgandy linka, just o survival rate alone

 

[wrasseguy2]

the problem is drksails is that is tank is not big enough to have plenty of live rock for him to graze on..and all the linkias feed the same red blue or whatever...a 40 gal is just too small and it takes about a year for those guys to starve..if you have kept one for 2 years then you are doing good

 

[AquaKnight]

Eh, just wanted him for the color, don't nessacary want a star, thanks for the heads up.

 

[rekn]

i coulda swore i heard linkia eat sponges too

 

[graveyardworm]

I dont believe enough research has been done on either the red or blue linkia to know for certain what they eat. Generally whats recommended is to have plenty of LR available for grazing. The linkias can last along time without feeding properly, as long as a couple years. Better to leave them in the ocean.

 

[JohnstonAtoll]

I have an orange sponge about the size of a baseball. Its been in there for about a year. I had 2 linkia stars in there as well but they never touched the thing. My orange linkia died about 6 months ago and my blue linkia died this week. I never understood why the orange one died and now the blue but starvation could make sense I guess. Its a 125 gal with plenty of rock but not a whole lot of algae, practically none.

 

[menta]

I have a Red (~3 month) and a Blue (~1 month)
The Red seems to be wondering the tank all day, After for almost a month it was just hang in 1 spot hardly moving.

The Blue one (Much bigger) since last week started to get torn. And today I saw it got ripped to 3 peaces, 2 x 2legs and 1 leg. They are all alive and keep crawling in the tank. Very strange.
M.