{"product_id":"red-star-sea","title":"Red Fromia Sea Star | Fromia indica","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Red Fromia Sea Star is a true jewel of the reef — a compact, brilliant scarlet star that glides slowly across mature rockwork picking at detritus and biofilm. Its clean lines and vivid colour make it one of the most attractive small sea stars in the hobby, and it is reef safe with a little care. Best reserved for the patient keeper with a well-established system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFromia indica is found across the tropical Indian Ocean and wider Indo-Pacific, roaming coral rubble, live rock and reef slopes where it grazes the thin film of life coating hard surfaces. It thrives only where there is an abundant, established supply of microfauna, so a mature reef with plenty of seasoned live rock is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA neat five-armed star in brilliant red to orange-red, often with fine darker speckling and a slightly beaded, textured surface. The arms taper to rounded tips. Most specimens reach around 8–10 cm across.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and slow-moving, and generally safe with corals and fish. It is not a dedicated predator, but like most Fromia it will opportunistically scavenge tiny invertebrates, so it is best considered reef safe with minor caution around very small ornamental snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA detritivore and micro-grazer that feeds on biofilm, detritus, sponge and the microfauna living on mature live rock. It cannot be reliably spot-fed, so it depends on a well-established tank to sustain it — the single most common cause of loss is slow starvation in a system that is too clean or too new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep only in a mature, stable reef of at least 190 litres with excellent, unchanging water quality. Sea stars are extremely sensitive to shifts in salinity, temperature and pH, so acclimatise very slowly — drip-acclimate over at least an hour, ideally two, and never expose the animal to air. Like all invertebrates it will not tolerate copper in any amount. Watch for white patches or disintegrating tissue, which signal stress or poor acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFromia sea stars are broadcast spawners and are not bred in home aquaria; their larvae require planktonic culture beyond a normal reef setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFromia indica\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Fromia Sea Star, Indian Sea Star\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndian Ocean and Indo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 cm across\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e190 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDetritivore – biofilm, detritus \u0026amp; microfauna on live rock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, stable reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution – occasionally scavenges tiny invertebrates, but safe with corals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal with peaceful reef fish, shrimp, reef-safe snails and corals in a settled system with abundant live rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarlequin shrimp (which prey on sea stars), pufferfish, triggerfish, large hawkfish and any boisterous or nippy species, as well as newly set-up or unstable tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian marine livestock for in-store collection or local delivery. Drip-acclimate all new invertebrates and never expose them to copper-based medications.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351899619619,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234109604131,"sku":"BA8153","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351899652387,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-starfish.jpg?v=1781501752","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-star-sea","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}