Reef safe stars

[mvm]

We were at the beach this week and my son found a starfish on the beach. He now wants one for our reef tank. I know I don't want serpants or brittles. Has anyone had success with linkias? I know the survival rate if low, but he said he wanted "a blue one."

 

[cbj25]

linkas tend to do best with tanks that are overfed, so if you do a lot of water changes and have a good simmer then you might be able to keep a linkia, I would try to get on that recently arrived at an lfs.

 

[superclown]

I've had one for about 2 months now no problems so.far

 

[fncracing]

i have a brittle and a banded both in my reef with no problems

 

[enderg60]

Ive only seen linkias do well in large tanks with lots of live rock. truth is no one knows what they eat, but its something on the rocks. Basically if you dont have about 80+ lbs of rock I wouldnt try one.

you can however so some of the smaller red stars in much smaller tanks.

 

[rolo65]

Maybe a red bali star....or a fromia....

 

[smoothie]

rolo65;583412 wrote: Maybe a red bali star....or a fromia....

+1
I have had a linkia for a few years. It constantly grazes around on the surface of everything in my antique 100g. I have even taken pictures of it eating asterinas along with the film on the glass.
If you do go the route of a red serpent or something the cool thing is the kid can feed it. Drop in a pellet when the lights are out and BAM! Crazy quick star

 

[schwaggs]

Smoothie;583435 wrote: If you do go the route of a red serpent or something the cool thing is the kid can feed it. Drop in a pellet when the lights are out and BAM! Crazy quick star

Mine will "walk" on 2 of it's arms when I feed. I basically comes running!

Some really excellent info over here to help you pick. It will take some reading but at least you will know what you are in for...