Blue linckia starfish (Linckia laevigata) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Blue linckia, Blue starfish, Blue sea star, Comet star (regenerating form)
Family
Ophidiasteridae
Origin
Shallow tropical Indo-Pacific reefs and seagrass beds
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

The blue linckia is a striking, slow-moving sea star of shallow Indo-Pacific reefs and seagrass beds, usually solid light to dark blue, with aqua, purple, pink and orange forms in some places. It has a firm body and slightly tubular arms with rounded tips and reaches about 30 cm across. It is popular but has a poor survival record in aquariums. Tank set-up: only for large, mature reef tanks (300 litres or more, at least a year old) with plenty of live rock covered in biofilm and organic film for it to graze. It needs very stable salinity, temperature and pH. Acclimatise it very slowly by drip over several hours, and never expose it to air if you can avoid it. Water: about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12 and specific gravity 1.023–1.025, with low nitrate. Health checks before buying: look for holes, white patches or wasting on the arms, and for small parasitic snails (Thyca) attached to its underside. Many imported specimens are missing arms or are regrowing from one arm (the 'comet' form); linckias regenerate well, and it is suspected but not proven that this species also reproduces by splitting. Role: a detritivore that grazes biofilm, organic films and fine detritus from rock. Small commensal shrimp sometimes live on it in the wild. Copper: copper-based medicines are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates, and some plant fertilisers carry copper too. Never treat a display tank holding this animal with copper; treat fish in a separate hospital tank, and drip-acclimatise new arrivals slowly. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linckialaevigata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes biofilm, organic films, detritus and possibly sponges and algae from rock. It has also been seen eating Asterina starfish. It is hard to target-feed; some keepers place small pieces of meaty food or sinking pellets under it, but a large, mature tank with plenty of grazing area is essential.

Breeding

Not bred in aquariums. Wild animals often have missing or regrowing arms, and the genus can regrow a whole star from one arm. Related Linckia multifora reproduces by dropping arms that grow into new stars; this is suspected but not confirmed for L. laevigata.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful; it does not harm corals, fish or other invertebrates. Eaten by harlequin shrimp, pufferfish, triggers, triton snails and some anemones. Avoid tanks with these.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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