Blunt-spined Brittle Starfish - Ophiocoma echinata
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Details
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The Caribbean Blunt-spined Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma echinata) has long, extremely slender arms and a disc that is small in comparison to other serpents. Coloring is usually mottled brown or grey and their legs are covered in tiny spines.
Starfish in general are very sensitive to changes in water quality and conditions. If temperature, salinity or other water parameters change quickly, starfish cannot regulate the change and are often damaged or killed. Be sure to acclimate carefully and while doing water changes, make sure the "new" water is as close as possible to the "old" water in its parameters.
Most brittle and serpent starfish are scavengers. Some may prey on snails and invertebrates while others eat detritus, leftover food, and tiny organisms in and on the substrate and rockwork. These starfish do not have the suction cup-like tubed feet common in other starfish. Their legs are instead often covered with small spines or hardened scaly plates. The names "brittle starfish" and "serpent starfish" are often used interchangeably, but "serpent starfish" usually refers to smoother-legged "brittle starfish". These starfish will usually hide in rockwork or caves and come out only to feed. Some may prey on live inverts or small fish if underfed, and they may also prey on sick, dead or dying fish. Brittle and Serpent starfish can be fed by placing a piece of clam, shrimp, scallop or other small, meaty foods by their mouth.
Like many other starfish, Brittle Starfish and Serpent Starfish will sometimes break a leg off if stressed or harassed. This is seen even more in these types of starfish than in many of the thicker-bodied starfish (hence the name "brittle" starfish). As long as the starfish is otherwise healthy, these legs can regenerate and the starfish can continue to grow and thrive. These starfish often may have asymmetrical legs where they have broken off and begun to grow back.
Specifications
Specifications | |
MPN | F93 0045 0777 |
Manufacturer | That Fish Place |
Common Name | Blunt-spined Brittle Starfish |
Scientific Name | Ophiocoma echinata |
Origin | Caribbean |
Reef Safe | Yes |
Invert Safe | Yes, with caution |
Community Safe | Yes, with caution |
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
Max Size (in inches) | 6 |
Min Tank Size (in gallons) | 30 |
Diet | Carnivore, Scavenger |
Specific Gravity Range | 1.022-1.026 |
pH Range | 8.0-8.4 |
Temperature Range | 75-82 |
Restricted | Yes |
Internal Id | 15366 |
State Restrictions |
Alaska |
Armed Forces Americas |
Armed Forces Europe |
Armed Forces Pacific |
California |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |