13 photos - 9 species
Introduction
They are very close relatives of starfish and, like them,
are characterised by a secondary, five-rayed symmetry.
The central disc is very small and the arms are clearly separated from it.
There are no suction cups on the feet.
Locomotion is achieved by moving the arms, which makes them quite agile.
The animals are very sensitive to touch, the arms are often thrown off in case of danger, but are usually regenerated again.
Astrophyton muricatum
Great basket star or Giant basket star
Size arms: 30 - 45 cm
Disc size: 2.5 - 4.5 cm
Depth: 6 - 27 m
Thin arms, strongly branched, form a fan-shaped plankton net when spread out.
During the day they can be found curled up on gorgonians or sitting in dark holes,
at night they roll out their arms and filter plankton out of the water,
orientated at right angles to the current.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Ophiocoma echinata
Black brittle star
Maximum length: 25 cm
The relatively long arms are covered with numerous thorns,
from which the star got its name.
It normally hides under stones or corals, for example.
Dark with light or cream-coloured markings.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Ophioderma rubicundum
Ruby brittle star
Maximum length: 2.3 - 13.5 cm
Like all brittle stars, rarely seen during the day, they come out at night to feed,
eating everything they find.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Ophiolepis superba
Banded brittle star
Maximum length: 15 cm
Beige with dark markings, inhabits deep coral reefs, 10 - 50 m.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Ophiomastix variabilis
Variable brittle star
Maximum length: 20 cm
In sheltered reef zones hidden in one place during the day, agile at night.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi
Ophiopholis aculeata
Crevice brittle star or Daisy brittle star
Maximum size: disc 2, 5 cm, arms 15 cm
Depth up to 30 metres
It has long spines on the edges of its five arms.
Colour: brown, with grey-white or black bands or spots.
The most common species in the Caribbean, they live almost everywhere in the reef.
Photo 1 - 2 Johnny: El Qesir Egypt
Photo 3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Ophiothrix foveolata
Brittle star
Maximum size: 25 cm
This species lives on gorgonians and filters small crustaceans
and plankton out of the water.
Photo 1 Astrid: Moalboal Philippines
Ophiothrix savignyi
Long-spined brittle star
Maximum length: 15 cm
These stars usually live at depths of 10 to 40 metres.
They are nocturnal, often together with sponges, gorgonians,
soft corals and fire corals.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: El Quesir Egypt
Ophiothrix suensonii
Suenson's brittle star or Sponge brittle star
Maximum size: disc 2, 5 cm, arms 15 cm
Depth: 3 - 40 m
Their arms are covered with long thin glassy spines.
Colours: Black, brown, yellow, grey.
Lives on fire corals, sponges and occasionally on gorgonians.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean