{"product_id":"picasso-starfish-linckia-multifora","title":"Picasso Starfish - Linckia Multifora","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"127\" data-end=\"163\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePicasso Starfish (Linckia multifora)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"127\" data-end=\"163\"\u003eThe Picasso Starfish, Linckia multifora, is a striking marine sea star with long slender arms and highly variable mottled markings in cream, blue, purple, pink, red, brown or fawn tones. Also known as the Multicolour Sea Star, Spotted Linckia or Dalmatian Linckia, this Indo-Pacific invertebrate is admired for its unique natural patterning and peaceful reef presence. It is generally reef safe, but it is a specialist grazer rather than a simple clean-up crew animal, and should only be added to mature, stable marine aquariums with abundant natural biofilm and grazing surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"912\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"778\" data-end=\"781\"\u003ePicasso Starfish, Picasso Sea Star, Multicolour Sea Star, Spotted Linckia, Dalmatian Linckia, Mottled Linckia, Multi-pore Sea Star.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"914\" data-end=\"958\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"938\" data-end=\"941\"\u003eLinckia multifora\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"960\" data-end=\"1068\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"976\"\u003eUsually around 12–15 cm across, though size can vary between individuals and regional forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1084\"\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1092\" data-end=\"1450\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1117\" data-end=\"1120\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific reef regions. Naturally found on coral reefs, rocky substrates, rubble areas and reef flats, from shallow water to deeper reef zones. It spends its time moving over hard surfaces, rockwork and reef structure while grazing on natural films and microscopic food sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1551\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1469\" data-end=\"1472\"\u003eTemperature: 24–27°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1495\"\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"1515\"\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.023–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1781\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1565\" data-end=\"1568\"\u003ePeaceful. It will not bother fish, corals or most mobile invertebrates, but it is vulnerable to predatory or nipping tank mates such as triggers, puffers, harlequin shrimp, some large wrasses and aggressive crabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"2223\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"1791\"\u003eSpecialist grazer. In the aquarium, it feeds mainly on biofilm, bacterial films, microalgae, detrital films, sponge growth and other microscopic material growing on mature live rock and aquarium surfaces. It is not usually a reliable feeder on standard prepared foods, though some individuals may occasionally accept tiny pieces of clam, mussel or other marine foods. A mature aquarium with established natural grazing is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2225\" data-end=\"2473\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2246\"\u003eA minimum of 250 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger, mature reef aquariums preferred. Smaller or newly established systems often cannot provide enough natural film growth to support this species long term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2475\" data-end=\"2890\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2500\" data-end=\"2503\"\u003eA slow-moving grazing sea star that spends much of its time travelling over live rock, glass, reef structure and shaded surfaces. It may be more active at night or during quieter periods. Like other Linckia sea stars, it has strong regenerative ability and may naturally shed or regrow arms, but damaged or deteriorating arms can also be a sign of stress, starvation or poor acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2892\" data-end=\"3250\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2902\" data-end=\"2905\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2914\" data-end=\"2917\"\u003eGenerally safe with corals, snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and most peaceful reef inhabitants. It does not eat coral tissue, but it should not be kept with starfish-eating animals such as Harlequin Shrimp. The main reef concern is not aggression, but whether the aquarium is mature enough to provide long-term natural grazing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3801\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3287\" data-end=\"3290\"\u003eRequires very stable salinity, excellent water quality and slow acclimation. Like most echinoderms, it is highly sensitive to rapid changes in salinity, pH and temperature, and should never be exposed to copper-based treatments. Avoid exposing it to air during transfer where possible. Best added only to mature reef aquariums with plenty of established live rock and natural surface growth. Do not treat it as a short-term algae cleaner; starvation can be slow and difficult to detect until condition declines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"3842\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3816\" data-end=\"3819\"\u003eExperienced fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3879\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3857\" data-end=\"3860\"\u003eOccasional in trade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3881\" data-end=\"4143\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the animal you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46007220240557,"sku":"AG-103205","price":21.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/PicassoStarfish-LinckiaMultifora.jpg?v=1778756550","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/picasso-starfish-linckia-multifora","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}