Orange Linckia Starfish

Orange Linckia Starfish: The Expert-Only Icon

The Orange Linckia Starfish (Linckia laevigata) is a highly sought-after invertebrate celebrated for its striking, vibrant orange coloration. It is a color morph of the more commonly recognized Blue Linckia Starfish, both of which belong to the same species. While undeniably beautiful and peaceful, the Linckia Sea Star has a reputation in the hobby for being exceptionally challenging to keep long-term due to its highly specialized dietary needs and extreme sensitivity to water quality fluctuations.

Native to the Indo-Pacific, these starfish typically have five long, cylindrical arms and glide gracefully across live rock and tank glass. They can grow quite large, with adult specimens reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Successfully keeping this species requires a very mature and stable aquarium, rich in the microbial life that forms the bulk of its diet.

Due to its specialized requirements and often short lifespan in all but the most established systems, the Orange Linckia Starfish is categorized as Expert-Only.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: The Orange Linckia Starfish is an Omnivore/Specialized Scavenger. Its primary diet consists of bacterial films (biofilm), microscopic organisms, and certain species of sponge and detritus that thrive on the surface of live rock in a mature aquarium.
• Feeding in Captivity: This is the major challenge for this species. It is rarely successfully spot-fed in a way that sustains it long-term. In most home aquariums, the microbial film it relies on is quickly depleted, leading to slow starvation. Occasional offerings of meaty foods (like clam or scallop) placed directly beneath its body are sometimes accepted but are not a sufficient substitute for its natural diet.
• Tank Requirements: Success is strongly correlated with tank maturity (1+ year old minimum) and size. A large tank (100−150 gallons minimum) with a high volume of well-cured live rock provides the vast surface area needed to grow enough natural food.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe. It poses no threat to corals, motile invertebrates, or fish.
• Temperament: It is Peaceful and Solitary. It should be monitored for parasitic snails that sometimes attack sea stars, and should be protected from predatory invertebrates like large shrimp or crabs.
• Acclimation Sensitivity: The Linckia Starfish is extremely sensitive to changes in salinity, temperature, and pH. A very slow, 2+ hour drip acclimation is mandatory. Never expose the starfish to air as this can trap fatal air bubbles in its internal systems.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Linckia laevigata (Orange Morp)
• Primary Common Name: Orange Linckia Starfish
• Other Common Names: Orange Sea Star, Blue Linckia (same species)
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Max Size: 6−12 inches (15−30 cm) in diameter
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Specialized Scavenger (Bacterial films, micro-organisms)
• Minimum Tank Size: 100−150 Gallons (min.)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes
• Care Level: Difficult (Expert Only)