Blue Linkia Starfish - Exposing the Rumors

[icedearth15324]

I figured I'd discuss one of my favorite critters in my 75g, my blue linkia starfish.

I've currently had him for around a year now, and my tank was running for 6 months prior.

I wanted to try and discuss a few rumors that tend to follow these creatures, particularly about the whole "not exposing to air" rumor. I got my starfish from bluezooaquatics.com, and when I received the package it was immediately put in my tank for temperature acclimation. After sitting in my sump for about an hour, I emptied the bag into a container (air exposure 1) and then began the slow acclimation to my tank which took around 2 hours. After acclimation, I took it out (air exposure 2) and moved it into my tank.

Since then, the starfish has climbed over my overflow box numerous times, which is where I primarily find the air exposure rumor to be false. Why would the animal climb out of the tank on its own accord? There's no other way for it to get into my overflow besides going over it.

I feel the rumor about the exposure to air is justified, but not necessary. If the starfish is healthy and from a reputable source, then it can handle the exposure. But if it is already sick, and mishandled, then the exposure could cause it to die. A proper acclimation, both temperature, and salinity, is more the key to a healthy and long-lived starfish.

I know 1 year is not super long-term, but compared to what I have read about these animals, 1 year is pretty impressive. I just feel people should not be entirely afraid of keeping one of these magnificent looking animals in their tanks because of a rumor about them.

Here's a recent(although poor pic) of him

 

[jrpark22000]

Great write up. I also in process of a similar test but only 6 months in and with an orange linkia, not blue. Picked it up from DD and did a more than 6 hours of drip acclimation. Since, it has exposed itself to air several times after it gets into my overflow box. It has grown in size and was doing great, until a few weeks ago. I found it upside down on top of an aggressive lps and the seastar was badly damaged. After righting it and a few days later it lost the most damaged arm. All the wounds have healed and the leg is growing back already.

Finding an animal that was harvested in good condition, proper handling all the way until it gets into your tank seem to be working for me too.

 

[madjoe]

I had one for few yrs was in air plenty of times was fine till idol ate him now thats not a rummer aslo ate my purple linka lol