Help me select a starfish!

[Gaffes]

I'm planning on buying a starfish (or two) for my 80 gallon FOWLR. I am looking for a species with the following characteristics:

-Easy to care for
-Will not eat mushroom corals, green star polyps, or coralline algae
-Preferably brightly colored or interesting in appearance
-Somewhat active
-No special feeding required
-Bonus for eating green algae or detritus

Does such a creature exist?

(Also note, I do not have a deep sand bed - it is a bare bottomed tank)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

 

[Anonymous]

That's a rather tall order! :lol:

The best I can come up with is a Fromia sp.

It won't eat algae (I don't know of any that do) but it also won't eat your corals. It mostly meets your other requirements. A Linkia might be another option, but they have a very poor survival record. Whatever you get, make sure to acclimate it very slowly.

 

[Gaffes]

Thanks John Henry. You seem to know alot about starfish for a steel drivin' man.

I will research the Fromia genus...

 

[Anonymous]

Fromia is just about your only option given those conditions