Pink Fromia Starfish

Pink Fromia Starfish: A Peaceful Splash of Color for Your Reef Tank

The Pink Fromia Starfish (Fromia spp.) is a gentle, eye-catching invertebrate that adds movement and subtle color to a mature marine aquarium. With its soft pink to reddish tones and smooth arms, this starfish is a favorite for hobbyists who appreciate natural beauty and calm behavior.

Natural Behavior and Reef Compatibility

Pink Fromia Starfish are peaceful scavengers that spend their day slowly gliding across rockwork and glass. They are considered reef-safe and generally leave corals and fish completely alone.

In the right system, they help with gentle cleanup by grazing on biofilm, detritus, and microalgae. However, they are not a substitute for a full clean-up crew and should be viewed more as a display invertebrate than a workhorse.

  • Temperament: Peaceful and shy
  • Reef-safe: Yes, with corals and clams
  • Best for: Mature, stable reef aquariums

Tank Requirements for a Healthy Pink Fromia Starfish

These starfish are sensitive to sudden changes and do best in well-established systems with excellent water quality. Stability is more important than chasing perfect numbers.

Recommended Water Parameters

  • Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 specific gravity
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
  • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
  • Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: < 10–15 ppm

A minimum tank size of 40–50 gallons is recommended, with plenty of live rock covered in natural growth. The rockwork provides both food and surfaces for exploration.

Tip: Avoid sudden swings in salinity or temperature. Pink Fromia Starfish are far less tolerant of instability than many fish.

Feeding and Long-Term Care Tips

One of the biggest challenges with the Pink Fromia Starfish is ensuring it has enough to eat. Most individuals rely heavily on natural film and microfauna in the tank.

  • Introduce them only into tanks that are at least 6–9 months old.
  • Avoid aggressive tankmates that may nip at their arms.
  • Supplement occasionally with small pieces of meaty foods (like finely chopped clam or mysis) placed near their arms, if they accept it.
  • Handle as little as possible; never expose them to air during transfers if you can avoid it.

Acclimation is critical. Use a slow drip-acclimation process over 60–90 minutes to prevent shock from changes in salinity and pH.

Common Issues to Watch For

  • Arm deterioration: Often linked to poor water quality or rapid parameter swings.
  • Lethargy: Can be a sign of starvation or stress.
  • Inability to cling to glass/rock: Frequently indicates serious health problems.

If you can provide a mature, stable reef environment, the Pink Fromia Starfish can be a rewarding and graceful addition. For more in-depth invertebrate care, explore our guides on clean-up crew selection and reef-safe invertebrates. New reef keepers may also benefit from our beginner reef tank setup guide before attempting sensitive species like Fromia.