Red fromia starfish (Fromia milleporella) care guide
- Group
- Other invertebrates
- Other names
- Red starfish, Black spotted starfish, Red sea star, Asterias milleporella, Fromia
- Family
- Goniasteridae
- Origin
- Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and Madagascar to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Australia, the Philippines, southern Japan and the South Pacific, at 0–73 m
- Water
- saltwater
- Maximum size
- 15 cm
- Temperature
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.026
- Minimum tank
- 150 litres
- Care level
- expert
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Reef safe
- yes
- Lifespan
- 5 or more (if fed) years
Care
The red fromia is a small, neat red starfish up to about 15 cm across, in shades from orange-red to deep red, sometimes with dark spots. It was first described in 1816 as Asterias milleporella and is found across the Indo-West Pacific from the shallows to about 73 m. Set-up: an old, well-established reef tank of 150 litres or more with lots of mature live rock. Wikipedia notes it feeds on thin films of algae and that there is little a keeper can do to supplement its diet, so it relies on the tank itself. A new tank will not support it. Water figures here are general reef guidance rather than from a source. Aim for 23–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, stable SG 1.023–1.026 and low nitrate. Acclimatisation: starfish cope very badly with changes in salinity. Drip acclimatise over at least an hour, and avoid exposing it to air where possible. Signs of trouble are white patches, limp arms or tissue falling away. Role in the tank: reef safe and harmless, but it does not clean the tank in any useful way. It is a display animal for experienced keepers. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never treat a tank holding them with copper, check the label of any fertiliser or medicine, and keep nets and buckets used for copper-treated tanks separate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fromiamilleporella). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Grazes thin films of algae, biofilm and microorganisms from live rock. Some individuals accept small pieces of meaty food such as mysis or a pellet placed under them, which is worth trying, but most rely on what grows in the tank.
Breeding
Not bred in aquariums. Like most starfish it has separate sexes and broadcast-spawns, with planktonic larvae. It does not reproduce by splitting.
Compatibility and tank mates
Reef safe: it leaves corals, fish and other invertebrates alone. It may be eaten or damaged by harlequin shrimp, puffers, triggers and some large hermit crabs. Avoid tanks with too many other grazing starfish competing for the same film.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.