13-Red Knob Sea Star
Protoreaster linckii
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Black, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Indonesia, Maldives
Family: Oreasteridae
The Red Knob Sea Star, also known as the Red Spine Star, African Sea Star, and Red-knobbed Starfish, has a thick, gray body with multiple bright red tubercles extending upward along each of its five arms. Red stripes connect these protrusions, giving its back the appearance of wires interconnecting in a grid-like fashion. It is found in shallow tidal pools and up to 100' deep reefs in the Indian Ocean.
The Red Knob Sea Star requires a large aquarium with ample supplies of live rock. A small specimen will eat algae. As it grows older, however, it is not reef compatible, as it will eat soft corals, sponges, tubeworms, clams, starfish, and other invertebrates. It should not be housed with puffers. It is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high levels of nitrates.
Breeding in an aquarium is extremely difficult with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate males from females.
The Red Knob Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerability to changes in water chemistry. It should never be exposed to air while handling.
In the aquarium, the diet can consist of chopped clams, shrimp, fish, and squid fed once a week.
14-Blue & Pink Sea Star
Astropecten sp.
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025, 64-74° F
Color Form: Blue, Pink
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Family: Astropectinidae
Though beautifully colored, the Blue and Pink Sea Star is also a useful addition to any established home aquarium. Obviously, this Astropecten species' most noticeable trait is the bright pink and blues of each arm. But in addition to its exotic colors, this sand sifting starfish is also highly active and mobile. It can sift and aerate large amounts of sand as it burrows into and searches through the substrate for food.
These peaceful omnivores are a great addition to reef aquariums. They will consume detritus and left over food. Like other starfish, this member of the Astropectinidae family also consumes small invertebrates, including shrimp, urchins, mollusks, bivalves, or other small sea stars. As such, they should be actively fed with a varied diet that mimics their natural food sources, especially in well-established marine aquariums. Otherwise, these voracious feeders can quickly clean your aquarium of detritus and then bury themselves into your substrate, starve, and eventually begin to decay.
To foster its feeding habits, the Blue and Pink Sea Star should be kept in aquariums with large, deep sand bottoms of several inches in depth. Since they are also slower moving than most fish, they should not be housed with natural predators, including Puffers.
Like other invertebrates, the Blue and Pink Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity, and pH and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. To successfully acclimate new specimens to your aquarium, use the drip acclimation method over an extended period of time. Additionally, they should never be exposed to air while handling.
Breeding in the home aquarium is extremely difficult with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate between males and females.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 4"
15-Brittle Sea Star, Fancy Red
Ophiomastix sp.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Red
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Tonga
Family: Ophiotrichidae
The Red Fancy Brittle Sea Star has a very small red central disc which may have variable patterns. The long spiny, red arms are fringed with white or black spines.
It is nocturnal and often hides under rocks during the day. At night, it comes out to eat detritus and small organisms. It cannot tolerate copper-based medications.
The Red Fancy Brittle Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerability to changes in water chemistry. It should never be exposed to air while handling.
In the aquarium it may be fed zooplankton, very finely chopped meaty items, and liquid invertebrate foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3" to 6"
16-Brittle Sea Star, Knobby Fancy
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Black, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Ophiotrichidae
The Knobby Fancy Brittle Sea Star, or Chain-Link Brittle Star, has a very small red central disc which may have variable patterns. The long, elegant arms are fringed with fancy paddle-shaped spines and among shorter sharp spines.
It is nocturnal and often hides under rocks during the day. At night, it comes out to eat detritus and small organisms. Avoid housing with slow, small, sluggish fish.
The Knobby Fancy Brittle Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. Thedrip acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerability to changes in water chemistry. It should never be exposed to air while handling.
Ophiomastix annulosa is reported to possess toxic mucus capable of paralysis and fatality in small animals. Always use caution when handling, and avoid any contact with eyes or mouth.
In the aquarium it may be fed zooplankton, very finely chopped meaty items, and liquid invertebrate foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3" to 6"
17-Chocolate Chip Sea Star
Protoreaster nodosus
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 3"
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia, Solomon Islands
Family: Oreasteridae
The Chocolate Chip Sea Star is a highly-recognizable ornamental sea star that boasts instant appeal. It is not difficult to imagine the dark chocolate brown tubercles (protrusions) that dot the surface of the sea star as chocolate chips on top of a tasty cookie. While it may seem odd to consider a sea star "cute," the charming color pattern reminiscent of the classic baked treat makes the Chocolate Chip Sea Star a highly desirable addition to a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium.
Also known as the Nodular Sea Star, or Chocolate Chip Starfish, the Chocolate Chip Sea Star naturally inhabits a fairly large habitat. Though most commonly found in shallow lagoons, the Chocolate Chip Sea Star can also be found at depths down to 75 feet deep in the Indo-Pacific reef region. A large aquarium with open access to a mature sand bed several inches in depth best recreates the preferred habitat of the Chocolate Chip Sea Star. While relatively hardy, the Chocolate Chip Sea Star requires particular attention to water quality. Like many invertebrates, the Chocolate Chip Sea Star requires high water quality and will not tolerate high nitrate levels.
The Chocolate Chip Sea Star should be kept in a large marine aquarium housing mild-mannered fish. Since they are slower moving than most fish, it should not be housed with predatory fish, including Triggerfish and Puffers. The Chocolate Chip Sea Star is not considered reef compatible since adults will eat soft corals, sponges, tubeworms, clams, and other starfish. Keep in mind that the Chocolate Chip Sea Star is only appropriate for very large aquariums since it can grow up to 15 inches in diameter.
The color of the Chocolate Chip Sea Star may be light to reddish-brown, blue, white, or yellow based on geographical location it hails from. With no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate male from female Chocolate Chip Sea Stars, breeding in an aquarium is extremely difficult.
The drip acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars since they are unable to tolerate rapid changes in water chemistry (oxygen levels, salinity and pH). The Chocolate Chip Sea Star should never be exposed to air while handling. Also, the Chocolate Chip Sea Star must not be exposed to any copper-based medications and avoid contact with a majority of anti-parasitic medications.
In the aquarium, the diet the Chocolate Chip Sea Star can consist of chopped clams, shrimp, and squid.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6"
18-Linckia Sea Star, Blue
Linckia laevigata
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji
Family: Ophidiasteridae
The Blue Linckia Sea Star is certain to be the shining star for the dedicated reef aquarium enthusiast. The unusual blue color of this sea star is truly remarkable and this standout color makes the Blue Linckia Sea Star a beautiful focal point. Its bright blue body may sometimes be embellished with red or purplish spots. The Blue Linckia Sea Star is also known as the Comet Sea Star, Blue Sea Star, or Blue Starfish.
In the wild, the Blue Linckia Sea Star is found in the sunny areas of the reef and reef fringe, constantly foraging for food. In the home aquarium setting, the Blue Linckia Sea Star prefers a well-lit sandy or coral rubble substrate, with many rocky hiding places. As a juvenile (when it has a blue-green coloration), the Blue Linckia Sea Star spends most of the day hiding in small caves or overhangs. As a larger adult, it can be seen anchored to the rocks or glass, waving one or two arms in the water, searching for small, free-floating microbes. The Blue Linckia Sea Star is generally solitary, but it will tolerate other starfish and amiable fish in the aquarium.
The Blue Linckia Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip-acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerance to changes in water chemistry. The Blue Linckia Sea Star should never be exposed to air while handling, and should be carefully monitored for the presence of a small parasitic snail, Thyca crystallina. In the wild, the Blue Linckia Sea Star is capable of regenerating a new starfish from almost any portion of its body that might break off. In the home aquarium, this is far less likely.
Small pieces of clam meat or tablets can be placed under the Blue Linckia Sea Star starfish to supplement its diet.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 6"; Large: 6" to 8"
19-Sand Sifting Sea Star
Astropecten polycanthus
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, Solomon Islands
Family: Astropectinidae
The Sand Sifting Sea Star, at first glance, seems to be drably colored like most bottom dwellers. But closer inspection reveals a striking beauty and serenity to the alternating bands of brown and beige that dress this invertebrate's thick, spine-covered arms. Like other starfish, Astropecten polycanthus efficiently consumes mass amounts of detritus and uneaten foods. This nocturnally active member of the Astropectinidae family can move large amounts of sand as it burrows into the substrate in its search for food.
This peaceful omnivore will effectively clean even the largest home aquarium of detritus and left over food. Like other starfish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star will also consume small invertebrates, including shrimp, urchins, mollusks, bivalves, or other small sea stars. As such, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be actively fed a varied diet consisting of natural food sources, especially in well-established marine aquariums. Otherwise, this voracious feeder will quickly clean your aquarium of detritus and then burrow into your substrate, starve, and eventually begin to decay.
To foster its feeding habits, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should be kept in aquariums with large, deep sand bottoms of several inches in depth. Since it is slower moving than most fish, the Sand Sifting Sea Star should not be housed with natural predators, including Puffers.
Like other invertebrates, the Sand Sifting Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity, and pH and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. To successfully acclimate new specimens to your aquarium, use the drip acclimation method and never expose the Sand Sifting Sea Star to air while handling.
Breeding in the home aquarium is extremely difficult with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate between males and females.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" Medium: 2-1/2" to 4"
