Linckia guildingi

Gray, 1840

Guilding's Sea Star, Green Sea Star

Range: Circumtropical

Size: 16 inches (40 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reefs.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the home aquarium trade.

Best maintained in well-aged aquariums having various live rock formations containing algae films/organic films and/or collections of detritus.

Their suitability for the reef aquarium is sometimes questionable because they are prone to the infestation of small burrowing bivalves and parasitic snails (Thyca crystallina), and also secondary bacteria infections.

Yet, once successfully acclimated, usually do very well in aquaria.

Since they are basically herbivorous and detritus feeders, occasional feedings with algae pellets may prove beneficial.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroidea

Order: Valvatida

Family: Ophidiasteridae

Genus: Linckia

FYI: Vulnerable to sudden salinity/specific gravity changes.

Capable of regeneration and reproduction by fission as entire new stars can be reproduced from a single removed arm.

As for tankmates, pufferfish may pick on this species.

May consume the small pest Fiji stars.

This species is hardier than L. laevigata.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Omnivore

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4