Order

Common name: Brittle Stars

Scientific name: Ophiurida

Ophiurida, commonly known as brittle stars or serpent stars, are a diverse order of echinoderms characterized by their distinct central disc and long, flexible arms. They are key detritivores in reef ecosystems, consuming decaying matter and plankton. Brittle stars are nocturnal and often hide during the day, making them an interesting addition to a reef tank for their behavior and cleanup abilities. They are generally reef-safe and can coexist with corals and other invertebrates, but some species may prey on small fish and invertebrates.

  1. The amazing and mysterious underwater world of Indonesia, North Sulawesi, Manado, brittlestar
    Common name: brittlestar
    Scientific name: Amphiura filiformis
  2. Common name: Variable Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Macrophiothrix variabilis
  3. Common name: savigny's brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophiactis savignyi
  4. A Green Brittle Star (Ophiarachna incrassata)
    Common name: Green Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiarachna affinis
  5. Ophiarachna incrassata on the sand
    Common name: Green Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiarachna incrassata
  6. Scientific ID : Ophiocoma echinata (Spiny ophiocoma). Close-up photograph taken underwater while diving in natural habitat of Brittle Star or Brittle Sea Star.
Class Ophiuroidea, Phylum Echinodermata.
    Common name: black brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophiocoma echinata
  7. Common name: banded ophiocoma
    Scientific name: Ophiocoma pumila
  8. Sea sponge
    Common name: Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiocoma scolopendrina
  9. Sea sponge
    Common name: red ophiocoma
    Scientific name: Ophiocoma wendtii
  10. Common name: harlequin brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophioderma appressa
  11. Common name: Short-spined brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophioderma brevispina
  12. Common name: Red Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophioderma phoenia
  13. ruby Brittle star
    Common name: ruby brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophioderma rubicunda
  14. Common name: Banded Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiolepis superba
  15. Starfish on wet black stones
    Common name: black brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophiomastix variabilis
  16. Common name: slimy brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophiomyxa flaccida
  17. Brittle star
    Common name: Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophionereis porrecta
  18. Fauna of Atlantic ocean around Gran Canaria - Ophioderma longicaudum brittle star isolated on white background
    Common name: Banded Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophionereis schayeri
  19. Ophiure piquante - ophiotrix fragilis sorte d'étoile de mer
    Common name: common brittlestar
    Scientific name: Ophiothrix fragilis
  20. Dark red-spined brittle star (Ophiothrix purpurea) on coral, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
    Common name: Purple Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiothrix purpurea
  21. Ophiothrix suensoni, Suenson's brittle star,sponge brittle star,
    Common name: Sponge brittle star
    Scientific name: Ophiothrix suensoni
  22. Bright serpent star   (Ophiura albida)
    Common name: Brittle Star
    Scientific name: Ophiura albida
  23. Common brittlestar,Ophiura ophiura,
    Common name: serpent star
    Scientific name: Ophiura ophiura