Pentaceraster duebeni

Gray, 1847

Red Tiled Sea Star, Vermillon Sea Star

Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits protected coral reefs and emerges at night to hunt prey.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the home aquarium trade.

Best maintained in a somewhat cool water fish-only aquarium, as this species is a 'carnivore' and one usually from slightly cooler waters in Australia.

Daily feedings with small pieces of fish or mussel flesh is necessary to maintain this species.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroidea

Order: Valvatida

Family: Goniasteridae

Genus: Pentagonaster

Species Name: 6 inches (15 cm)

FYI: Vulnerable to sudden salinity/specific gravity changes.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Carnivore

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult

Temperature Range: 66 - 72°F (18 - 22°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4