Red (Fromia) Starfish – Fromia sp.

About this invertebrate

Red (Fromia) Starfish – Fromia sp. is a saltwater sea star in the genus Fromia, commonly kept in reef aquariums as a detritus- and film-feeder that can help graze on available organic matter and microalgae on live rock. In practice, it’s best used as a low-profile cleanup and viewing animal in a well-established tank where natural food sources are consistently available. Because this listing is identified only to genus (Fromia sp.), treat any morph-specific traits (color, exact origin) as unconfirmed and focus on group-level husbandry for Fromia sea stars.

Features:

• Generally compatible with many reef setups, making it a useful “watch and graze” invertebrate
• Often benefits from an established tank with mature live rock and ongoing natural biofilm/detritus production
• Does best with stable water quality and slow, gentle circulation rather than strong blasting currents
• Placement on rock work allows it to browse available surfaces; keep it where it can settle and feed
• Sensitive to transport stress and sudden changes—acclimation and consistent parameters matter
• Helps diversify the tank’s grazing community, though it still needs sufficient food availability to thrive

Specifications:

• Scientific identity (as listed): Fromia sp.
• Care level (general guidance): Moderate (best in established systems)
• Diet (general guidance): Detritus/organic film and microalgae found on live rock; ensure ongoing natural food availability
• Tank placement: On live rock surfaces where it can browse; avoid high-turbulence direct blasts
• Water temperature (typical reef range): About 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity (typical marine reef range): ~1.020–1.026 specific gravity
• pH (typical reef range): About 8.1–8.4
• Water quality focus: Keep stable, well-oxygenated water with strong filtration and regular maintenance