My Purple Linkia

Pufferpunk

Pufferpunk

New member
I just can't believe the bright purple & pink tips on this guy!
PurpleStarfish.jpg


Anyone know what that hole is on him though?
 
Sometimes you can get a linckia with parasitic snails that bore into it (thyca crystallina). Not sure if that's what you have from the angle / not being able to see in person, but could be an option, though you'd normally find them boring into the arms (or at least that's the only place I've ever seen them). Can you get a better pic or see anything?

Beautiful star! Great colors.
 
Unfortunately, this star spends most of it's time behind the rockwork. This is the 1st time it's been fully out since I got it 2 weeks ago. My orange one's out all the time, front & center, & my blue one I see every other day or so.

If it is a parasite, anything I can do for it? Is it fatal?
 
Should be relatively harmless if it is a snail, though I've never seen one near the center (again, if it even is the thyca); they're usually on the underside or arms. I'm wondering what the heck that is. Maybe it's sieve plate?
 
Good luck with him, myself and a couple other people bought purples awhile back and i think the one that lasted the longest lasted about 3 weeks.....
 
Yeah, linckia are tough to keep... did you get him locally, Puffer? They are notoriously bad shippers, usually start to disintegrate after a week or two. Keep a good eye on him and good luck!
 
It appears to be off-center which would then, most likely be the star's Madreporite (intake-port for the star's water vascular system).

Is this hole open all the time, or does it close up?
 
I have kept my orange linkia for about 2 years & blue Linkia for over a year now (purchased at IMAC last year). The purple one is from a long-established tank, locally. If what Hans says is true, I can stop worrying! I'm gonna go look that up right now.
 
Last edited:
Jeni - my concern is that if it is in-fact, the madreporite, then I don't believe it should be open like that all the time. I'm not sure if a gaping madreporite is cause for concern though. MikeD is a biology teacher, and perhaps you could get him to chime in here, as he probably has a good amount of experience with echinoderm dissection and anatomy.
 
BTW: do a search for "madreporite" in google images and see if you can identify the "hole" as being that particular body part on your star.
 
The area is right, that's where the plate (sieve plate / madreporite) should be. I've just never seen one open like that.
 
PSam - I agree, all of the pics of madreporites in google images, show it closed. Hope it'll be okay, as it is really a beautiful starfish.
 
Re: My Purple Linkia

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9114450#post9114450 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
I just can't believe the bright purple & pink tips on this guy!
PurpleStarfish.jpg


Anyone know what that hole is on him though?
Click to expand...

WOW JEN...thats perdy!
ALmost as perdy as the flower anemone i have for you...no i haven't forgotten!
RK
 
I knew you didn't. You seem like a dependable guy. The only free nights I have are Mondays. All weekends are booked till the end of the month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

beckya
purple tang
Replies
1
Views
199
OrionN
OrionN
E
What lightening do reef ships us to have the ALL blue effect?
Replies
3
Views
126
griss
griss
K
Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano Power Level for 15G?
Replies
3
Views
225
kingyking888
K
griss
Neptune Apex Jr Reset Button
2
Replies
22
Views
752
griss
griss
S
Re: bean animal help!
Replies
2
Views
161
wvned
wvned
Back
Top