More info
Common Name: Blue Sea Star, Blue Linckia
Scientific Name: Linckia laevigata
Order: Valvatida — Family: Ophidiasteridae
Distribution: Indo-Pacific — Found across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, including the Red Sea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Great Barrier Reef, and Micronesia.
Lifespan: Estimated 8 to 10 years in the wild
Maximum Size (Adult): Up to 30 cm in diameter
pH: 8.1 to 8.4 — Hardness: 8 to 12 dKH
Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
Minimum Tank Size: 200 liters
Reef Safe (Compatibility): Yes — Reef safe and generally peaceful with corals and fish.
Behavior & Compatibility:
The Blue Sea Star is peaceful and non-aggressive, making it suitable for reef aquariums. It spends most of its time slowly crawling over live rock and sand in search of food. It should not be kept with predatory species such as puffers or large wrasses that may nip at its arms.
Diet:
Scavenger and detritivore. It feeds on biofilm, microbial layers, detritus, and occasionally sponges or decaying organic material. In captivity, supplementation with finely minced seafood or specialized invertebrate food may be necessary if natural food sources are insufficient.
Reproduction:
Sexual and asexual reproduction observed in the wild. Asexual reproduction may occur through arm fragmentation followed by regeneration. In aquariums, breeding is extremely rare and challenging.
Sexual Dimorphism:
There are no visible differences between males and females.
Natural Habitat & Biotope:
Inhabits shallow reef flats, lagoons, and subtidal zones up to 60 meters deep. Prefers coral rubble, sandy bottoms, and rocky outcrops with plenty of surface area for grazing.
Etymology:
The genus name Linckia honors German naturalist Johann Heinrich Linck. The species name laevigata means “smooth” in Latin, referring to the texture of its skin.
