[Alice]

Here's a pic that Doug snapped of my Linkia multiflora (I think I have it ID'd correctly ) This guy was barely an inch across when I brought him home, now he's probably 4" from tip to tip of the longest legs. BTW, the L. multiflora hardly ever have legs of even length, even in the wild.

 

[thefatman]

that guy is pretty cool alice! thanks for pointing out the legs, because my first question was gonna be what happened to the short leg

so linkia's are reef safe? i want to get more stars in my new tank, but want only stars that are confirmed reef safe.

 

[Casey]

a short leg cool hes like Nemo with a short fin

 

[cath]

Far out, Alice! You mean you really do have a tank? hehehehe

Evil cath made me type that

 

[blckmstng]

Linkias are reef safe

 

[thefatman]

all linkias? even the blue ones?

problem with my lfs is that nothing is properly labeled at hte store.

everything is "blue long legged starfish" or "green serpent star" which was actually a green brittle.

i think from now on, before i make any purchase at hte lfs, i'll take my camera, and post ap ic here for proper id, and advice on whether to purchase or not.

 

[blckmstng]

the camera thing sounds like a good idea

blue linkias are reef safe but remember not to touch them with your hands, they can die. Some are more sensitive than others but the oils from your skin can kill them

 

[Doug1]

Jay serpent and brittle stars are terms with no scientific validity. Generally the ones with with the fringes on the legs are called brittles and the serpents have the smooth legs. They are Ophurids all. I like the Green Brittles, got that attitude thing going, green and mean, oh shoot, now You Know Who will want one

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Yeah Doug I do but only if I beat you to it!!

 

[blckmstng]

theres a problem with the green ones though, they get big and will go after fish

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

If you target feed the green brittle star they will be fine! As they grow they require more food! Some day I will have another one!

 

[thefatman]

yeah my green brittle's disc is about the size of a 50cent piece, and the legs are about 8" long each.

i spot feed him daily. one day blender much, the next day shrimp pellets, then bm again.

i feed the fish every third day, but the star gets it everyday. he doesnt go near any of the fish. so i think i'll continue feeding him often.

and it doesnt get he water bad, feeding daily, because i hold in right to him and he takes the food from my hand and straight into his mouth. so none floats away. and the itty bitty pieces that do float away, the fish are right there to grab them

last week, while feeding, the blue damsel came swooping in like an eagle and actually snatch the shrimp pellet right out of the stars arm! then the cinamon swooped over and snatched right out of the mouth of the damsel! it went onl ike that back and forth for about 10 minutes, while the coral beauty and green chromis stodd by and watched! i gave the star another piece

 

[Doug1]

I am surprised the "FORMER" Marines havent adopted Green Brittles