Common Brittle Star

Ophiothrix fragilis

Common Brittle Star

Brittle stars like this one carpet muddy bottoms by the million, from the shallows to depths beyond 1,200 metres. Rather than chase prey, it holds its arms up into the current and filters out drifting scraps, also gathering detritus and animal matter from the seabed.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Echinodermata › Ophiuroidea › Amphilepidida › Ophiotrichidae › Ophiothrix

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 125131.

FAQ

How deep does the Common Brittle Star live?
The Common Brittle Star (Ophiothrix fragilis) is typically found at 0–1244 m.