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Brittle Sea Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
Brittle Sea Star
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Brittle Sea Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Green, White
Diet Omnivore
Reef Compatible Yes
Water Conditions 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size 10"
Family Ophiotrichidae
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Green, White
Diet Omnivore
Reef Compatible Yes
Water Conditions 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size 10"
Family Ophiotrichidae
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Brittle Sea Star is common throughout the Caribbean and has a very small red central disc, which may have variable patterns. The long spiny red arms are fringed with white spines, and have a white pattern.

It is nocturnal and often hides under rocks during the day. At night, it comes out to eat detritus, left-over food and small organisms. It cannot tolerate copper-based medications.

The Red Brittle Sea Star is very intolerant of sudden changes in oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. The drip acclimation method is highly recommended for all Sea Stars due to their intolerability to changes in water chemistry. It should never be exposed to air while handling.

In the aquarium, provide a varied diet of frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and very finely chopped shrimp and mussels.

Approximate Purchase Size: 3" to 6"

Customer Testimonials

Danny B Duluth , GA
We added this sea star to our 90g tank over a year ago, and it has been a great addition. Although it rarely comes out in the light, it is very active at night and can be seen moving throughout the tank, eating detritus. It has not bothered other tank inhabitants, but the hairy arms have a menancing appearance as it searches every corner for food.
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