Superb Brittle Star

The superb brittle star is an elegant echinoderm with a patterned central disc of about 3 cm, from which thin, long arms banded in light and dark extend; with its arms spread it covers an area of 15–20 cm. Unlike sea stars, it moves quickly by curling its arms like a snake. During the day it hides under rocks and extends its arms at night or when food is added. It contributes to the cleanup crew by collecting leftover food that settles in the sand and between rocks. Those on the market are wild-collected.

• 100 liters or more; rock caves it can crawl under and sand.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; salinity should be stable.
• Reef safe; it does not touch corals, fish or other invertebrates.
• It should be acclimated by the drip method for at least 2 hours; copper-based medications are lethal.

An omnivorous scavenger; it feeds on detritus, leftover food and small organic particles. Sinking granules or a piece of mysis placed at the base of the rocks a few times a week is enough.

Shy and peaceful. Its arms break off easily but regenerate; for this reason it should not be handled. It should not be confused with the large green brittle star (Ophiarachna incrassata), which catches fish.

Good companions: clownfish, gobies, cardinalfish; shrimp, snails, hermit crabs.

Avoid: triggerfish and pufferfish, large wrasses; copper-based medications.