Linckia laevigata
Encyclopedia
Linckia laevigata is a species of sea star
in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific
. The most common color morph found is pure, dark or light blue, although one can find the aqua, purple or orange variation throughout the ocean. These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm in diameter, with rounded tips at each of its arms — some individuals may bear light or darker spots along each of its arms. It is firm in texture, and possessing slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other Ophidiasteridae
, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet
.
An inhabitant of coral reef
s and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and found in sparse density throughout its range. They live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata.
The genus Linckia is known to be creatures with remarkable regenerative power, capable of defensive autotomy
against predators and may reproduce asexually: another tropical, pink or reddish mottled with white and yellow species known as Linckia multifora
may produce 'comets' or separated arms from the mother individual, which would grow four, tiny stubs of arms ready for growth to maturity. L. laevigata is not an exception for this — many individuals observed in nature are missing arms or sometimes, in the comet form. The mottled Linckia (L. multifora) has been observed reproducing asexually in captivity.
Some species of other reef inhabitants prey on this species of sea star. Pufferfish
es, Charonia species (triton shells), harlequin shrimp and even some sea anemone
s have been observed to eat the whole or a part of the sea star. The Blue Linckia is also prone to parasitization by a species of parasitic gastropod (Thyca crystallina). Commensal associations sometimes play part on this echinoderm's life, animals like Periclimenes
shrimp are sometimes found commensally on the oral or aboral surface of the animal, picking up mucus and detritus.
This sea star is known in marine aquarium
hobby
, and needs a proper, slow acclimatization
before entering the tank system; many died because improper acclimatization process or malnutrition. Generally thought as a detritivore
, many sources say that this species will indefinitely graze throughout the aquarium for organic films or sedentary, low-growing organisms such as sponges and algae
. Depending on how good the food source, shipping, acclimatization and water quality is, this species have been kept with variable success. This species has yet to be bred in captivity for sustainable harvest.
This species has been in the sea-shell trade for a long time, which involves dried sea star tests (skeletons) for curios or decoration. Some regions of their habitat have seen significant population decline due to the continuous harvesting by the industry and tourists.
Sea star
Starfish or sea stars are echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. The names "starfish" and "sea star" essentially refer to members of the class Asteroidea...
in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific
Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic region of the Earth's seas, comprising the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean, and the seas connecting the two in the general area of Indonesia...
. The most common color morph found is pure, dark or light blue, although one can find the aqua, purple or orange variation throughout the ocean. These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm in diameter, with rounded tips at each of its arms — some individuals may bear light or darker spots along each of its arms. It is firm in texture, and possessing slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other Ophidiasteridae
Ophidiasteridae
Ophidiasteridae is a family of sea stars with about 30 genera. Occurring both in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans, ophidiasterids are greatest in diversity in the Indo-Pacific...
, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet
Tube feet
Tube feet are the many small tubular projections found most famously on the oral face of a sea star's arms, but are characteristic of the water vascular system of the echinoderm phylum which also includes sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers and many other sea creatures.Tube feet function in...
.
An inhabitant of coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and found in sparse density throughout its range. They live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata.
The genus Linckia is known to be creatures with remarkable regenerative power, capable of defensive autotomy
Autotomy
Autotomy or self amputation is the act whereby an animal severs one or more of its own appendages, usually as a self-defense mechanism designed to elude a predator's grasp...
against predators and may reproduce asexually: another tropical, pink or reddish mottled with white and yellow species known as Linckia multifora
Linckia multifora
Linckia multifora is a variously colored starfish in the family Ophidiasteridae that is found in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Its common names include the Dalmation Linckia, mottled Linckia, spotted Linckia, multicolor sea star and multi-pore sea star.-Description:Linckia multifora has a small...
may produce 'comets' or separated arms from the mother individual, which would grow four, tiny stubs of arms ready for growth to maturity. L. laevigata is not an exception for this — many individuals observed in nature are missing arms or sometimes, in the comet form. The mottled Linckia (L. multifora) has been observed reproducing asexually in captivity.
Some species of other reef inhabitants prey on this species of sea star. Pufferfish
Pufferfish
Tetraodontidae is a family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the Tetraodontiformes order. The family includes many familiar species which are variously called pufferfish, balloonfish, blowfish, bubblefish, globefish, swellfish, toadfish, toadies, honey toads, sugar toads, and sea squab...
es, Charonia species (triton shells), harlequin shrimp and even some sea anemone
Sea anemone
Sea anemones are a group of water-dwelling, predatory animals of the order Actiniaria; they are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower. Sea anemones are classified in the phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, subclass Zoantharia. Anthozoa often have large polyps that allow for digestion of larger...
s have been observed to eat the whole or a part of the sea star. The Blue Linckia is also prone to parasitization by a species of parasitic gastropod (Thyca crystallina). Commensal associations sometimes play part on this echinoderm's life, animals like Periclimenes
Periclimenes
The genus Periclimenes contains a large number of species of shrimp that live symbiotically with larger animals, most commonly sea anemones, though some corals, sea stars, sea cucumbers and, in the case of the imperial shrimp, P...
shrimp are sometimes found commensally on the oral or aboral surface of the animal, picking up mucus and detritus.
This sea star is known in marine aquarium
Marine aquarium
A marine aquarium is an aquarium that keeps marine plants and animals in a contained environment. Marine aquaria are further subdivided by hobbyists into fish only , fish only with live rock , and reef aquaria. Fish only tanks often showcase large or aggressive marine fish species and generally...
hobby
Hobby
A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...
, and needs a proper, slow acclimatization
Acclimatization
Acclimatisation or acclimation is the process of an individual organism adjusting to a gradual change in its environment, allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions...
before entering the tank system; many died because improper acclimatization process or malnutrition. Generally thought as a detritivore
Detritivore
Detritivores, also known as detritophages or detritus feeders or detritus eaters or saprophages, are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus . By doing so, they contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles...
, many sources say that this species will indefinitely graze throughout the aquarium for organic films or sedentary, low-growing organisms such as sponges and algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
. Depending on how good the food source, shipping, acclimatization and water quality is, this species have been kept with variable success. This species has yet to be bred in captivity for sustainable harvest.
This species has been in the sea-shell trade for a long time, which involves dried sea star tests (skeletons) for curios or decoration. Some regions of their habitat have seen significant population decline due to the continuous harvesting by the industry and tourists.