Common name: Short-spined brittle star

General information

The Short-spined Brittle Star, Ophioderma brevispina, is a species of brittle star often found in the reef aquarium trade. These invertebrates are known for their five slender, highly flexible arms which they use for locomotion and feeding. The central disc is covered with spines, giving rise to the name 'short-spined'. They are nocturnal creatures, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed.

Care

Short-spined Brittle Stars are scavengers and detritivores, making them excellent cleanup crew members for a reef aquarium. They help maintain the tank by consuming uneaten food, dead matter, and detritus. They prefer a tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate to hide and search for food. Care should be taken to ensure they are not housed with predatory fish that may harm them.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Ophioderma brevispina can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes into the water column, while asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation, where a part of an arm and a piece of the central disc break off and regenerate into a new individual.

Symbiosis

While not known for any specific symbiotic relationships, brittle stars in general may share their hiding places with other small invertebrates or fish seeking refuge. Their scavenging nature also benefits the tank by keeping the substrate clean.

Habitat

Ophioderma brevispina is typically found in shallow waters, often under rocks or within the reef structure. They are distributed across the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. In the wild, they are an important part of the benthic community, contributing to the breakdown of organic material.