Common name: common brittlestar

Scientific name: Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789)
Ophiure piquante - ophiotrix fragilis sorte d'étoile de mer
close up Brittle stars, serpent stars, or ophiuroids are echinodermsCommon brittlestar,Ophiura ophiura,

General information

The Common Brittle Star, Ophiothrix fragilis, is a species of echinoderm that is widely recognized for its long, slender, and highly flexible arms. This invertebrate is a fascinating addition to the reef aquarium due to its unique appearance and behavior. Brittle stars are known for their ability to rapidly regenerate lost limbs, which is an adaptation to escape from predators.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
Temperature
10 to 24 °C (50 to 75 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
10 cm (4″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Omnivore Scavenges detritus & microorganisms.
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Echinoderms
    Echinodermata
  3. Class
    Brittle Stars
    Ophiuroidea
  4. Order
    Brittle Stars
    Ophiurida
  5. Family
    Brittle Stars
    Ophiotrichidae
  6. Genus
    Brittle Stars
    Ophiothrix
  7. Species
    common brittlestar
    Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789)
  8. Synonyms
    Asteria cuvieri Delle Chiaje, 1828
    Asteria ferrussacii Delle Chiaje, 1828
    Asterias echinata Delle Chiaje, 1828
    Asterias fragilis Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789
    Asterias pentaphylla Pennant, 1777
    Ophiocoma minuta Forbes, 1839
    Ophiocoma rosula Forbes, 1839
    Ophiothrix alba Grube, 1857
    Ophiothrix alopecurus Müller & Troschel, 1842
    Ophiothrix echinata (Delle Chiaje, 1828)
    Ophiothrix ferussacii J. Müller & Troschel, 1842
    Ophiothrix fragilis echinata Delle
    Ophiothrix fragilis lusitanica Ljungman, 1872

Care

In the home aquarium, Ophiothrix fragilis requires a tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate to provide hiding places and surfaces for foraging. They are nocturnal and tend to hide during the day. Brittle stars are scavengers and will feed on detritus, uneaten food, and small organisms within the substrate. Care should be taken to ensure they are not outcompeted for food by other tank inhabitants.

Reproduction

Brittle stars are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction. In the aquarium, they may spawn by releasing gametes into the water column, although successful breeding and larval survival can be challenging to achieve in captivity.

Symbiosis

While Ophiothrix fragilis does not have the same type of symbiotic relationships as clownfish or anemones, they do play an important role in the aquarium's cleanup crew, helping to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem by consuming organic waste.

Habitat

Ophiothrix fragilis is commonly found in the Northeast Atlantic, from the coast of Norway to the Azores and Mediterranean. They inhabit a range of marine environments from shallow waters to depths of several hundred meters, often associating with sponges, corals, and other sessile invertebrates.