African Red Tip Sea Star

The African Red Tip Sea Star (Protoreaster lincki) is a peaceful invertebrate admired for its striking red-tipped arms, contrasting dark body patterns, and large, robust appearance. Generally reef-safe with caution, this species thrives in tanks with a soft sandbed, plenty of live rock for grazing, hiding spots, and open areas for movement, along with stable water parameters (salinity 1.020–1.025, temperature 72–79°F, pH 8.1–8.4) and a secure lid to prevent escapes. Adults can reach up to 12 inches across and are best housed in aquariums of at least 50 gallons.

Males and females are visually similar, though juveniles may have slightly smaller bodies and less pronounced coloration. As an omnivorous scavenger, it feeds on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates, and can be supplemented with mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, or invertebrate pellets. With proper care, the African Red Tip Sea Star makes a visually stunning and hardy addition to a reef aquarium.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.