dalmation linkia

[mattzang]

I've seen these mentioned by people a few times as being "easier" than other linkias. There doesn't seem to be much information on here about them, just wondering what people think.

I'd love to have an out and about starfish, but my tank is newerish (3-4 months) and possibly not big enough (50 gallons) to sustain a linkia or fromia.

 

[Old Fritz]

Most recommend at least a 75-100gallon tank and a tank that is about a year old. They are super hardy, and I personally dont see a problem for a 50 gallon, some will say otherwise but tank size is just a recommendation. However I would recommend you keep them in an older tank. Maybe wait a couple of months, however I do recommend waiting till your tank is a year old.

 

[mattzang]

Most recommend at least a 75-100gallon tank and a tank that is about a year old. They are super hardy, and I personally dont see a problem for a 50 gallon, some will say otherwise but tank size is just a recommendation. However I would recommend you keep them in an older tank. Maybe wait a couple of months, however I do recommend waiting till your tank is a year old.

are the fromias a better choice? I'd prefer a linkia because they look cooler, but I don't want to even try something if my chances aren't pretty good

 

[cristata.reef]

Fromia and Linckia have generally the same care requirements with the exception that Fromia are usually more responsive to feeding and due to their smaller size, presumably eat less.

However be warned, you cannot keep either of these alive solely by target feeding, they need a large well established tank with lots of microfauna

 

[Old Fritz]

oh no they are not a better choice they are much more sensitive (personally I prefer fromias' looks), Like I said Linkia is doable in a younger tank, if you have a lot of live rock and their is algae in your tank I think it will do fine. But if there are still fluctuations in water parameters you may run into problems

 

[Old Fritz]

Fromia and Linckia have generally the same care requirements with the exception that Fromia are usually more responsive to feeding and due to their smaller size, presumably eat less.

However be warned, you cannot keep either of these alive solely by target feeding, they need a large well established tank with lots of microfauna

Fromia are generally more sensitive than linkia

 

[cristata.reef]

Fromia are generally more sensitive than linkia

That is a good point. What I meant in my previous response was that they require the same things generally (i.e. bacterial populations, largeish tank, good water params), but yeah Fromias do tend to be more finicky

 

[mattzang]

well it sounds like if nothing else I won't get one until my tank is at least a year old.

regarding parameters, is that nitrates and phosphates? or just temperature and salinity?

i test my salinity weekly and it seems to kinda fluctuate anywhere between .024 - .026, is that too much? does adding an ATO help salinity remain more stable?

 

[cristata.reef]

Parameters is pretty much everything with these. I don't think that the salinity too much in a week, but more water volume usually means more stable params.