Hawaiian Brittle Star - Ophothrix fragilis

Hawaiian Brittle Star

Average Size: 3 - 6 inches

Acclimate slowly over 2 hours. Excellent for Reef tanks. Not a good seahorse mate

Brittle Stars are aggressive scavengers. They are mainly detrivores but may kill small animals or sedentary animals (like sleeping seahorses!!). Will eat whatever you feed your fish. Excellent at controlling waste in your aquarium. Should be a part of every clean up crew.

Nocturnal. Will hide during the daytime and search for food at night. The mouth is on the underside of the body and has 5 teeth. They Like to hide in rocks and crevices during the daytime They push the stomach out through their mouth to eat. They do not have a brain but instead a simple ring of nerve cells.

These are echinoderms of the Class Ophiuroidea which includes the Starfish. They have 5 arms and use tube feet and spines to move their bodies. As a defense mechanism they will easily sacrifice an arm to save the body. Arms will regenerate! Breed easily and quickly. The brittle star is often called the serpent star and is found from shallow waters to great depths along the rocky seafloor.