Indian Sea Star (Fromia indica) Care Guide
Fromia indica is a red Goniasteridae sea star from Indian Ocean reefs, with the same demanding care as other Fromia: a mature, algae-rich reef tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Fromia indica is a red sea star of the family Goniasteridae found on Indian Ocean reefs. Like other members of the genus, it is small, peaceful, and reef-safe, but its care requirements match those of related Fromia species, demanding a mature system with abundant film algae.
Taxonomy
- Class: Asteroidea
- Order: Valvatida
- Family: Goniasteridae
- Genus: Fromia
- Scientific name: Fromia indica
Habitat
The species inhabits coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH: 8-11
- Size: 5-8 cm in diameter
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
- Acclimation: slow drip acclimation required
Diet
As with other Fromia, it grazes on detritus, encrusting sponges, and thin layers of algae on rock. Supplemental feeding is largely ineffective, so a mature aquarium with continuous biofilm production is required.
Compatibility
Peaceful and reef-safe with fish. Harlequin shrimp prey on sea stars and should be avoided.
Fromia indica Breeding Guide: Indian Sea Star Spawning
Overview
Fromia indica is a red sea star of the genus Fromia, family Goniasteridae, from Indo-Pacific reefs including the Indian Ocean. Fromia are small tropical five-armed stars; the genus contains several visually similar species that can be difficult to separate.
Reproductive Mode
Fromia indica reproduces as a gonochoric broadcast spawner, in line with the class Asteroidea. Direct species-level spawning observations are scarce, so reproduction is described from the general starfish pattern that applies across the family.
Sexual Reproduction
During free spawning, eggs and sperm are released into the water column and the embryos and larvae join the plankton. They progress through bilaterally symmetrical bipinnaria and brachiolaria stages, then settle and metamorphose into pentaradial juveniles roughly 1 mm across.
Common Challenges
The planktonic larvae require dispersal and microfood that home aquaria cannot supply, so the reproductive cycle is not completed in captivity. No asexual reproduction is documented for the species. As with other Fromia, it needs slow acclimation and an established tank to survive.