The Blue Starfish, also known as the Comet Sea Star, Blue Sea Star, or Blue Linckia Sea Star, is found in the sunny areas of the reef and reef fringe, constantly foraging for food. It has a bright blue body, sometimes with red or purplish spots.In an aquarium setting, it prefers a well-lit sandy or coral rubble substrate with many rocky hiding places. As a juvenile (when it has a blue-green coloration), it spends most of the day hiding in small caves or overhangs. As larger adults, it can be seen anchored to the rocks or glass, waving one or two arms in the water, searching for small, free-floating microbes. The Blue Starfish is generally solitary, but it will tolerate other starfish and amiable fish in the aquarium.
The Blue Starfish is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. It should never be exposed to air while handling, and should be carefully monitored for the presence of a small parasitic snail, Thyca crystallina.
In the wild, the Blue Starfish is capable of regenerating a new starfish from almost any portion of its body that might break off. In the home aquarium, this is far less likely.
In the aquarium, small pieces of clam meat or tablets can be placed under the starfish.
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