Blue Linckia

The blue linckia is one of the best-known sea stars, thanks to the bright blue of its smooth, cylindrical arms from base to tip; adults reach 25–30 cm. Unfortunately its success rate in the aquarium is low: wild-collected individuals weaken during shipping, are very sensitive to acclimation, and most slowly waste away within a few months. Its arms may carry small parasitic snails (Thyca). From an ethical standpoint, too, it is recommended only for hobbyists who have run a very large reef aquarium for many years.

• At least 300 liters and a mature reef at least a year old; a large live rock surface.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; values must be extremely stable.
• Reef safe; it does not touch corals or other animals.
• It should be acclimated very slowly by the drip method for at least 2–3 hours and should not be exposed to air; copper-based medications are lethal.

It feeds on biofilm, microalgae and the organic layer on rock surfaces. It rarely accepts supplementary food; a large, mature aquarium rich in biofilm is therefore essential.

Slow and peaceful; it roams over the rocks and the glass. It can regenerate lost arms; it has sometimes been seen reproducing by splitting itself in two.

Good companions: peaceful reef fish (gobies, cardinalfish, clownfish); shrimp, snails.

Avoid: harlequin shrimp, triggerfish and pufferfish, angelfish; new or small aquariums.