Brittle Star

Beneficial Reef Scavenger and Detritivore

The Brittle Star (Ophiuroidea spp.) is an exceptional cleanup crew member and one of the most beneficial invertebrates for reef aquariums. These fascinating echinoderms feature a central disc body with five long, flexible arms that they use to navigate rockwork and scavenge for food. Brittle stars are prized for their efficiency at consuming detritus, uneaten food, and organic waste while remaining completely hidden during the day.

Why Brittle Stars Are Essential

• Superior scavenging ability: Actively hunts for detritus, uneaten food, and decaying organic matter in hard-to-reach areas
• Natural sand bed cleaner: Helps maintain healthy substrate by consuming waste and aerating sand
• Reef-safe and peaceful: Completely harmless to corals, fish, and other invertebrates
• Nocturnal behavior: Emerges at night to scavenge, keeping your aquarium clean while you sleep
• Hardy and adaptable: Thrives in a wide range of reef aquarium conditions with minimal care
• Fascinating to observe: Uses flexible arms to move gracefully through rockwork and across substrates

Care Requirements

Temperature: 72–78°F
Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
pH: 8.1–8.4
Tank Size: Suitable for tanks 20 gallons and larger
Rockwork: Requires live rock with caves and crevices for daytime hiding

Brittle stars are opportunistic scavengers that feed on detritus, leftover food, and small meaty foods. In well-fed reef aquariums, they typically receive adequate nutrition from natural food sources. Supplemental feeding with small pieces of frozen mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, or sinking pellets can be offered 2-3 times per week, especially in newer systems.

What to Expect

Brittle stars are primarily nocturnal and will spend most of the day hidden within rockwork or under the sand bed. At night, they emerge to scavenge throughout the aquarium, using their sensitive arms to locate food. They are completely reef-safe and make an excellent addition to any cleanup crew. Brittle stars can regenerate lost arms if damaged, though this should be avoided through proper handling and care.

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