Indian Sea Star
Fromia indica
A vivid reef sea star that's more forgiving than most of its relatives.
About
The Indian sea star (Fromia indica) is one of the more approachable echinoderms for reef keepers looking to add some invertebrate interest to their tank. Found across a wide stretch of the Indo-West Pacific and into the Southeast Atlantic, from South Africa all the way to Australia and Japan, this species turns up on shallow reefs and rocky substrates from the intertidal zone down to around 44 meters. In the wild it tends to inhabit areas with plenty of live rock and encrusting organisms, which also makes a well-established reef aquarium a reasonable analog for its natural environment. Coloration is typically a rich red to orange-red, often with darker or contrasting markings near the tips of its arms, giving it a bold appearance without the fragility that comes with some of the more delicate sea stars. Compared to notoriously difficult species like the chocolate chip or linckia stars, Fromia indica has earned a reputation as one of the more manageable options for hobbyists willing to provide stable water quality and a mature, well-seeded system with enough microfauna and biofilm for it to graze on. Acclimate slowly and avoid any exposure to air during handling.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Indian Sea Star
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Indian Sea Star aggressive?
- The Indian Sea Star is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Indian Sea Star eat?
- The Indian Sea Star is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.
- Is the Indian Sea Star reef safe?
- The Indian Sea Star is generally considered reef safe.