Blue Linckia Starfish and Cleaner Shrimp Help

[philip_r5]

Hello, I was wondering if any one has had a Blue Linckia Starfish or a Cleaner Shrimp. I want to know anything about these. The reason I ask is because I like the way they look and am interested in them. However, when I look on forums I find many different opinions on the behavior and other information on these two inverts. Any info is helpfull and thanks guys

[amcarrig]

I wouldn't put a linkia in any tank that's less than a year old. Newer tanks just can't seem to sustain these animals and they are very sensitive to fluctuations in water parameters and new tanks tend to fluctuate alot. Cleaner shrimp are pretty hardy but I wouldn't put them into any tank that isn't at least 4 months "old". Just make sure you acclimate them for a good long time before adding them to your tank and don't even think about having any shrimp eating fish in your tank

[bouraganes]

Star fish can be very hard to keep and they are very sensitive to flucuations in salinity- the cleaner shrimp- now thats an interesting reef critter that is laoded with personality - I used to have one that would climb on my hand and try to clean it !

[turbo4603]

i wana put the blue linkia in my tank, but that is the favorite diet for my harlequin shrimp!!!
I have had cleaner shrimps in all my tanks, and they are great. Real fun and anoying all at once. When you put your hand in the tank, expect it to crawl all over your hand. I have even seen them cleaning the inside of my diamon gobie's mouth! Real neat!!!

[philip_r5]

Okay, I really wasnt sure about the Linkia but after a couple of these post I will discontinue my interest. However, what do the cleaner shrimp mainly eat?

[Matt Rogers]

Cleaner shrimp are optimistic feeders and will grab whatever they can of the fish food you toss in there. I wouldn't worry about feeding them directly.

[rickzter]

I wouldn't put a linckia in a tank period. I've read a lot on these specific sea stars and they are still baffling to scientists as to what exactly they eat. Some say filament algae, some say detritus, some say bacterial organisms, etc, etc. The point is that no one knows what they eat and the only tank that can keep linckias are 100g+ tanks with tremendous amounts of rock. And even then, they will not live for a long time in captivity. You will also almost always find these stars in very big sizes. If you really read, there are some linckias you wish you never came across, some are predators. Although they come in different color variations, not all linckias are safe. Blues, reds are known to behave in the presence of coral. Others like the purple or sunburst, etc, you really take a chance. They usually are labeled "opportunistic." They also acclimate very poorly.

I had a blue linckia, lasted about 2 months before it decayed. Whatever they eat, it will run out. I don't even know if he really ate. For all you know, those stars might starve for long periods before they die. So he might not of eaten at all in my tank for those 2 whole months.

In fact, reefers advise newcomers to stay away from these sea stars and all others and settle for the most hardy: Fromia species of stars. This includes: Fromia monilis and Fromia milleporella of the most hardy. Others might require an established aquarium.

Sorry to be the rotten egg.

Cleaner shrimp... which? Lysmata amboinensis, Lysmata debelius or Stenopus hispidus? I advise you to stay away from the third, as it most often does not provide a cleaning service and is HIGHLY territorial. His territory? The whole tank will be his. Stay away from that shrimp.

Sources:
SeaStars
Starfish: Considerations for the Common (and Commonly Misunderstood) Varieties by Anthony Calfo - Reefkeeping.com

[bouraganes]

Good info ricktzer !

[usmc121581]

I had a blue linkia in a 120gal reef. He lived for at least 8 months eating the zucchini that I would but in there for my tangs. Then all of a sudden 3 weeks ago he developed dark blue spots, and died. Very tricky to keep. As for my cleaner shrimp, he will not touch a fish. He used to clean the fish with the other cleaner shrimp but when the one died or got eaten, he stopped. My fire/blood shrimp will clean the fish.

[philip_r5]

So the Cleaner Shrimp will Eat almost anything they can get? Like left over food, stuff off the fish, and detris?