Spotted Linckia starfish

Care at a glance

The spotted Linckia is a small relative of the blue Linckia, with slim arms in orange, red or purple, often speckled with darker spots. Arms of uneven length are normal: this species reproduces by shedding an arm that grows into a new star.

Attractive and reef safe, but just as tricky as its larger cousin. Many specimens arrive weakened, and they live off biofilm that only a tank established for years produces in sufficient amounts. Check the arms for small white parasitic snails when buying, and drip-acclimatise it slowly.

Good to know

• Needs a mature, stable tank

Best not combined with

• Harlequin shrimpHymenocera picta

Related species

• Indian sea starFromia indica
• Luzon starfishEchinaster luzonicus
• Doughboy starfishChoriaster granulatus
• Red African starfishProtoreaster linckii
• Archaster sand starArchaster typicus
• Cushion starCulcita novaeguineae