Blue Linckia questions

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by naesco

One can not simply throw them in IMO>

OKAY.

I haven't done this hundreds of times. My bad. Oh no, wait...

Look, here's the real problem: Collecting and shipping use to really suck. I mean it was TERRIBLE. This was a few years back, so most of the Linkias entering the trade were already in a state of terminal health. So regardless of whether or not you spent the ten years acclimatizing them, they died. People go the impression that they were unreasonably sensitive.

Since then, collection techniques have improved, packing has improved and the overall health of the animals is much better than it use to be. As long as you take the time to make sure your salinities don't vary drastically, you will be fine. On the other hand, if you bought an animal that was already terminal, no amount of fussing over the acclimatization will save it from turning into a eroding slimy blue ball of snot.

TL : DR - there's no magic voodoo behind salinity. If your LFS has a salinity of 1.025 and you have the same, just float, cut and dump. Acclimate if it makes you sleep better at night. If your salinity varies by a point or two, acclimate, but it's probably not going to be a game breaker. If you salinity varies a lot, well, you shouldn't have purchased the animal in the first place.

[MMAX]

I found out the hard way with a sand sifting star a few years ago. Didn't slow drip him and soon after he started dropping his arms until he finally died. Live and learn I guess.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by MMAX

I found out the hard way with a sand sifting star a few years ago. Didn't slow drip him and soon after he started dropping his arms until he finally died. Live and learn I guess.

HONESTLY, if your water was within a point or two of difference, the star was probably already on its way out...

[kien]

also keep in mind that there are two issues or challenges with Blue Linckias.

1. is the acclimation phase. The whole process of getting them into your tank comfortably. As Albert suggested, if the starfish has been handled with care then this acclimation phase should go smoothly without too much stress on the starfish. Otherwise it could go badly..

2. is the long term survivability phase. The whole process of making sure they stay alive in your tank. Keeping them long term is notoriously difficult for may reasons. This is another example of, "if it were easy everyone would have one".

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by kien

2. is the long term survivability phase. The whole process of making sure they stay alive in your tank. Keeping them long term is notoriously difficult for may reasons. This is another example of, "if it were easy everyone would have one".

right there is why I won't get one. Last thing I need is an eroding slimy blue ball of snot

[Proteus]

Next time a fromia may be a better choice. They come in a number of colors and patterns and I believe are hardier than linkia

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by Titus99

Next time a fromia may be a better choice. They come in a number of colors and patterns and I believe are hardier than linkia

I have the opposite experience. I find Fromia to be legit sensitive, especially during shipping.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

I have the opposite experience. I find Fromia to be legit sensitive, especially during shipping.

I tried a linkia. Didn't work, and I don't want to try again. I had a fromia for a year and have. It went through three tank changes and did fine though I know it still past I think it was because the small tank wasn't mature enough and it ran out of food. I would love another star but am unsure if its wise in a small tank

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by kien

The whole process of getting them into your tank comfortably.

This line made me snicker. I thought my blue linkia was comfortable in my 80g but admittedly I hadn't seen him in awhile. Then I remembered, at some point in time, a few weeks ago my drain pipe that goes from my 230g reef to my 80g was making funny noises. Well just the other day, low and behold, there's my blue linkia in my 230g reef tank??? WTH??? Somehow he climbed up the pipe in the 80g all the way into my 230g So on a side note if you haven't seen the starfish in awhile, and you have a sump, check it.

Anyway, yes slower acclimation is better, but if the temp and salinity are close then I usually just mix a bit of the water together, wait a bit, then dump it in

[reefwars]

to me starfish are food for shrimps:P