Star help

[Pippi2773]

Our blue linckia star seems to be puking his guts out, literally. We've had him for about two weeks with no recent changes to the tank. He is still moving about and doesn't seem very affected by it. Should I be worried or is this normal?

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[Pippi2773]

Also, I noticed what looks like four puncture holes on one of his arms. Could our LS urchine's venom be affecting him?

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[murfman]

I don't know much about starfish, except my Harliquin eats them. You might want to post this ? over on the invert forum.

 

[COreefer]

Linkia are VERY difficult. Some folks have luck with them, but many/most do not even make it to the retailers or past the retailers. They are very sensitive to slight changes in SG causing the melting appearance you are seeing. It's probably nothing you did wrong, rather this star was doomed from the time the retailer got it.

 

[reefkoi]

I listened to a talk by Rob Toonen at MACNA, he is an echinoderm expert. He said to avoid linkias all together, they live for a really short period, I cant remember the exact numbers but the amount of food they need is something none of us can really provide in a healthy reeftank.
I tried a linkia a while back in my 600 and it only lived 6 months or less.

 

[Pippi2773]

The more I read about them the more I think he was doomed from the get go. The impulse buys always seem to go fast. I should know by now not to purchase anything without first researching. Could anyone recommend a colorful starfish that they have had luck with?