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FAQs about Sea Star Identification 4
Related Articles: Sea Stars,
Brittle Stars, Asterina
Stars,
An Introduction to the Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea
Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and More... By
James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs: Sea Star ID 1,
Sea Star ID 2, Sea Star ID 3,
Seastar ID 5, Seastar ID 6 &
CC Star Identification, Linckia
Identification,
Sandsifting Star ID, &
Sea Stars 1, Sea Stars 2,
Sea Stars 3, Sea Stars 4,
Sea Stars 5, Brittle Stars, Seastar
Selection, Seastar Compatibility,
Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior, Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction,
Seastar Disease,
Asterina Stars,
Chocolate Chip Stars, Crown of
Thorns Stars,
Fromia Stars, Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2, Sand-Sifting Stars, | 
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Can you identify this sea star? Fromia indica 3/31/07
I
took this picture in the Great Barrier Reef recently
<Wish I was
there!>
and I'm curious what kind of sea star this is. I can't
find it in my reef identification book: http://www.pbase.com/image/76435956
<Does look to me like a Fromia indica. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm
and links in blue.>
Thanks.
<Welcome. Mich>
Doug
Sturgess | 
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Oreaster reticulatus...? (Protoreastor I Think) - 02/28/07
Hello,
<<Howdy>>
I am in search of some Sea star
identification. A photo of the sea star that I have is attached.
<<Ah yes...good photo...and a beautiful starfish>>
It is currently
living in a reef environment (20 gallon).
<<Not a reef-safe
specimen>>
At first, I thought it might be the non-reef safe Bahama
sea star.
<<This one is a different genus I think (Protoreastor),
but just as non-reef-safe>>
All of the photos and descriptions I
have found, however, describe it as red in color.
<<Mostly, yes>>
In addition, color aside, the spikes on mine appear larger, less
abundant, and further spaced apart than the typical Bahama sea star
photos I've seen. Any ideas on what this little 3" guy might be?
<<I don't think yours is a Bahama sea star (Oreaster reticulatus), it
looks more to me like a Protoreastor species...perhaps a variant of P.
lincki>>
Thank you in advance for any help!
Christopher Buehler
<<Hope I've been helpful. Eric Russell>> |
Re: Oreaster reticulatus...? (Protoreastor I Think) - 02/28/07
Well that's another thing. I have searched for photos of the
species you have suggested and I still cannot seem to find any sort
of photo for it to confirm. Any ideas?
<<Nothing short of a
trip to a large university library for some research...though even
then, your sea star could be a geographical variance of a common
species and not habitually photographed/easily found>>
Christopher Buehler
<<Eric Russell>> |
Re: Oreaster reticulatus...? (Protoreastor I Think) - 03/02/07
I have another question for you regarding this starfish (see your
response below).
<<Ok...shoot>>
You say he is not reef safe.
<<Yes>>
I won't be able to get him to a better home until the
end of next week. I have been keeping an eye on him and so far he
just cruises around the bottom of the tank and doesn't seem to be
bothering anything.
<<Mmm...for now>>
What kind of problems
should I be out on the lookout for with this little guy?
<<Protoreastor species will eat sessile invertebrates, becoming more
destructive as they grow/mature. But feeding this small star a few
pieces of meaty foods of a saltwater origin (fresh/frozen shrimp,
clam, scallop...from the local grocer) over the next week "may" keep
it away from your corals until you can relocate it>>
Thank you.
Christopher Buehler
<<Happy to assist, Eric Russell>> | 
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Starfish ID (Fromia sp.?) - 02/28/07
Can you identify this
starfish?
<<Looks like a species of Fromia to me>>
I thought
that it is a Burgundy Linckia Sea Star. Is it?
<<I don't believe it
is, no>>
Thanks.
<<Welcome>>
Hope that the photos can help
you to identify. Or is it a Nardoa species?
<<Another
possibility...try a search of the net re these genus names (Fromia,
Nardoa) and see what you think>>
Is it Reef safe?
<<Is likely
so. EricR>> | Re: Starfish ID
(Fromia sp.?) - 03/01/07
Thanks for your help and I have
identified the starfish.
<<Excellent!...and you are welcome>>
It's a Fromia indica.
<<Neat...thought it might be>>
It
looks different in different region. :) Or it may be a subspecies of
it.
<<Possibly... EricR>> |
R2: Starfish Identity, RX - 03/02/07
Sorry about the
mistake. I made a mistake.
<<...?>>
It's actually a Nardoa
galatheae.
<<Ah okay, no worries...you are in the best position
to tell>>
They look a bit similar but actually are not.
<<Agreed>>
It's a Nardoa star and it eats algae and detritus.
<<Excellent>>
It can also help you to eliminate SPS eating
starfishes.
<<Really?>>
:) Have a nice day.
<<Same to
you>>
It's doing great in my tank now.
<<Is a beautiful
specimen, do enjoy. Eric Russell>> | 
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Red Thorny/Knobby Star (Echinaster echinophorus) Best Left in the
Ocean. 2/22/07
Hi Bob,
<Hi K.B.! Mich with you tonight.>
My compliments to you and your staff for the great job you do and your
dedication to education with regard to marines.
<Thank you for your
kind words. It is nice to be appreciated.>
Quick identification
question for you. Attached are a couple pics of a red thorny/knobby
star that I'm told is reef-safe. I've searched the web for this star
and have found many similar but cannot confirm its species. Would you
be so kind as to identify the species and whether or not it is
reef-safe?
<Does appear to be Echinaster echinophorus which has a
poor survival rate in captivity. It is believed that the natural diet
is comprised of sponges, but have read reports of it eating meaty foods
in captivity. Reports to be reef safe, but short lived.>
Many,
many thanks.
<You're welcome! -Mich>
K.B. |
Re: Red Thorny/Knobby Star (Echinaster echinophorus) Best Left in
the Ocean. 2/22/07
Thanks Mich. I found what I thought was
this star in my research, and I trust now that it was judging by the
information you provided here.
<Glad to help.>
Thanks again.
<You're welcome. -Mich> | 
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Starfish ID 2/11/07
<Hi Kevin, Mich here again.>
Hmm, I
sent 2 pictures but only 1 much of went through?
<My
bad. Sorry! The second photo did not come up on my computer, but must
have been accessible to others as it has been posted on today's
FAQ's. My apologies!>
Let me try and send you it again. It's a
front view but not super close up. It has 6 legs.
<I do think this
is a Linckia species, which generally don't do very well in
captivity. Some reddish looking linckia, typically speckled, not solid
red (Linckia multifora) may do better than the Blue Linckia (Linckia
laevigata).
Thanks
<Welcome! -Mich>
Kevin |
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Starfish Id ...Photo of Underside ...More Conscientious in the Future -
02/11/2007
<Hi Kevin! Mich here.>
I bought this starfish the
other day from the LFS and they didn't know what kind it is. It has 6
legs and looks similar to Linckia so it has been assumed that it is reef
safe.
<Assumed!?!? Better to know, than to assume.>
<<Sabrina F here, pointing out the fang blennies that look like cleaner
wrasses, but most assuredly do not have the same feeding behaviors....
-SCF>>
Is it reef safe?
<Can't tell from looking at it's
backside.>
Will it harm my T. Crocea clam ?
<Hopefully not, but
a picture showing it's front side would be much more helpful.>
I
really don't want anything to happen because of this new starfish.
<My friend, I urge you to use this situation as a learning
experience. In the future I would suggest you be more conscientious and
know the care requirements and compatibility issues before making any
purchases. There are many starfish that don't do well in
captivity. For many, the nutritional requirements are poorly understood
and the beautiful creatures slowly starve.>
Thanks
Kevin
<Welcome. -Mich> |  
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