Necklace Sea Star (Fromia monilis) Care Guide
Fromia monilis is a red-and-cream tiled Indo-Pacific sea star, smaller and more peaceful than Linckia, that needs an established reef with film algae.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Fromia monilis is a Goniasteridae sea star with bright red arm tips and disc centre, paler intermediate areas, and large contrasting plates that resemble tiles. It is smaller and more peaceful than Linckia and lives in reef environments that require established conditions with developed algae growth.
Taxonomy
- Class: Asteroidea
- Order: Valvatida
- Family: Goniasteridae
- Genus: Fromia
- Scientific name: Fromia monilis
Habitat
The species occurs throughout the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, from the Andaman Islands to Australia and Japan, living in reef environments.
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: 5-10 cm in diameter
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
- Acclimation: slow drip acclimation required
Diet
Fromia monilis feeds on encrusting sponges, detritus, and small invertebrates, and in aquaria sustains itself on thin layers of algae over rock surfaces. It depends on naturally occurring algae growth and can starve when biofilm is insufficient, so a mature, well-established system is essential.
Compatibility
Peaceful and reef-safe with fish. Harlequin shrimp prey on sea stars and should be avoided.
Fromia monilis Breeding Guide: Necklace Star Spawning
Overview
Fromia monilis, the necklace sea star, is a member of the genus Fromia, family Goniasteridae, found in the Pacific Ocean. It has a red body with a contrasting cream tile pattern. Wikipedia notes that Fromia monilis and Fromia nodosa can be very difficult to identify, as they closely resemble each other and even unrelated species.
Reproductive Mode
Fromia monilis is a gonochoric broadcast spawner like other members of the class Asteroidea. Species-specific spawning records are limited, so the reproductive description follows the general starfish pattern applicable to the family.
Sexual Reproduction
Eggs and sperm are released into the water during free spawning, and the embryos and larvae become part of the plankton. Larvae develop through bilaterally symmetrical bipinnaria and brachiolaria stages, then settle and metamorphose into small pentaradial juveniles around 1 mm in diameter.
Common Challenges
The planktonic larval phase requires open-water dispersal and specialised microfood that home aquaria cannot provide, so the cycle is not completed in captivity. No asexual reproduction is documented for this species. It also requires careful acclimation and a mature, stable reef.