Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING????

Edd13 · 12-29-2007, 11:13 PM

from what i have read noone really knows what they eat and say they generally live only a few months.
I have had mine going on a year and a half never spot feeding it just letting cruz around the tank ... i figured it was eating detrius or algee or something...

tonight I found it on the glass eating a small star (Algee eating type)

here is a pic of it....................

Edd13 · 12-29-2007, 11:33 PM

the linkia just moved on ... so i inspected the small star ... what was left was a hollow husk that rolled up like an empty gritty bag

framerguy · 12-29-2007, 11:34 PM

Very nice. It IS unusual to see one live as long as yours, congratulations. Job well done!

Edd13 · 12-29-2007, 11:44 PM

here is a pic of what was left ... i tried to stieghten it out with a tooth pick but it just got worse...

AQTCJAK · 12-30-2007, 12:28 PM

I think maybe ed found the missing link to survival of tha lankia in our tanks

blue_eyes53813 · 12-30-2007, 12:36 PM

I have had a blue linkia for about 4 years.. I have no idea what it eats but it must be finding a lot to eat because it is a fat fella. Sometimes I see it on the glass which a always assumed it was eating the brown thin dusting of algae. Most times it is wedged in the smallest spots possible cleaning the rocks. I do have alot of those little white stars in my tank.. It must be feeding on them as well.

Melanie · 12-30-2007, 12:38 PM

Thank you for sharing that great capture! I have read that they are nearly impossible to maintain. hma has one as well and I'm interested to hear what he thinks they eat.

framerguy · 12-30-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

I do have alot of those little white stars in my tank.. It must be feeding on them as well.

HMMMM...maybe there is something here!? Since nobody REALLY knows what there diet is, this is a possible breakthrough. Tiny white stars = blue linckia health? I know the little stars come in on LR, but is there any other source for them?

Edd13 · 12-30-2007, 10:43 PM

i really don't know if there is another way to get more... i have some in the tank i see from time to time but most i find in the sump ... my next question is if they eat these ... would they eat the small SPS eating stars as well

... it would be awesome if it did

AQTCJAK · 12-31-2007, 11:38 AM

I would think so edd. I also know that if you have those little stars unless you have a very fast predator like a harliquin they will be an abundance of them

kathywithbirds · 12-31-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AQTCJAK

I would think so edd. I also know that if you have those little stars unless you have a very fast predator like a harliquin they will be an abundance of them

Those are astreas, right, the little ones? I've seen one or two a couple of times... so if I read you right, they're like roaches, where there's a few there's a ton you don't see?

Edd13 · 01-24-2008, 03:10 AM

sorry kathy for the late post

... still getting used to the speed of this site

there are quite a few astreas spicies from what i under stand... the one in my pic is a harmless algee one ... but ... i understand there are agressive coral eating ones also

12-29-2007, 11:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Edd13 Limpet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Banos Posts: 132 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? the linkia just moved on ... so i inspected the small star ... what was left was a hollow husk that rolled up like an empty gritty bag __________________ "Hi ... my name is Ed ... and I'm a Reef Addict ..." "How much deeper would the Ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?" “My speck is inhabited by ponies that eat rainbows and poop butterflies” "I'm not a geek... I'm a 10th level Paladin"

12-29-2007, 11:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
framerguy Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 2,920 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? Very nice. It IS unusual to see one live as long as yours, congratulations. Job well done! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 75g Main, 55g Fuge w/DSB/+-25#LR, 25g Sump, turboflotor skimmer, 2x250w MH(9hrs/d), 4x65w PC(14h/d), 950gph mag drive/seaswirl return, 100# LR, 3" SB chronicles-akwareum (\___/) This is Bunny. (=O.o=) Copy and paste him into your signature (")__(") to help him gain world domination

12-30-2007, 12:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,235 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? I think maybe ed found the missing link to survival of tha lankia in our tanks __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

12-30-2007, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 fully trained mod,,,its my fault~ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 5,852 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? I have had a blue linkia for about 4 years.. I have no idea what it eats but it must be finding a lot to eat because it is a fat fella. Sometimes I see it on the glass which a always assumed it was eating the brown thin dusting of algae. Most times it is wedged in the smallest spots possible cleaning the rocks. I do have alot of those little white stars in my tank.. It must be feeding on them as well. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-30-2007, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? Thank you for sharing that great capture! I have read that they are nearly impossible to maintain. hma has one as well and I'm interested to hear what he thinks they eat. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

12-30-2007, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Edd13 Limpet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Banos Posts: 132 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? i really don't know if there is another way to get more... i have some in the tank i see from time to time but most i find in the sump ... my next question is if they eat these ... would they eat the small SPS eating stars as well ... it would be awesome if it did __________________ "Hi ... my name is Ed ... and I'm a Reef Addict ..." "How much deeper would the Ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?" “My speck is inhabited by ponies that eat rainbows and poop butterflies” "I'm not a geek... I'm a 10th level Paladin"

12-31-2007, 11:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,235 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? I would think so edd. I also know that if you have those little stars unless you have a very fast predator like a harliquin they will be an abundance of them __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

01-24-2008, 03:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
Edd13 Limpet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Banos Posts: 132 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Linckia Sea Star... EATING???? sorry kathy for the late post ... still getting used to the speed of this site there are quite a few astreas spicies from what i under stand... the one in my pic is a harmless algee one ... but ... i understand there are agressive coral eating ones also __________________ "Hi ... my name is Ed ... and I'm a Reef Addict ..." "How much deeper would the Ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?" “My speck is inhabited by ponies that eat rainbows and poop butterflies” "I'm not a geek... I'm a 10th level Paladin"

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