A dark-colored brittle star with five long, slender, spiny arms rests on a rocky underwater surface, blending in with the light brown and beige rocks around it.

STARFISH – BRITTLE Ophiocoma spp.

Name: STARFISH - BRITTLE Ophiocoma spp.
SKU: 36113
Availability: InStock

Price range: $14.99 through $49.99

The Brittle Starfish, with over 1000 species recognized, come in a variety of colors and patterns dependent on area of origin. Brittle starfish can reach a size of 10″ across and are a very efficient scavenger for the marine aquarium. More of a nocturnal animal, the Brittle starfish will be seldom seen out during the day but its legs may peek out from underneath live rock. Brittle starfish are named after their prickly appearance, but also the delicate nature of their “brittle” legs. If one is damaged or broken, it can be regenerated.

Size

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SKU: N/A Categories: Saltwater Invertebrates, Saltwater Livestock, Starfish Tags: CARE LEVEL | EASY, LIVE, MIN TANK SIZE | 55, REEF COMPATIBLE | YES, SALT INVERT, STARFISH, TEMPERAMENT | SEMI-AGGRESSIVE

Description
Shipping & Delivery

Description

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Brittle Starfish, with over 1000 species recognized, come in a variety of colors and patterns dependent on area of origin. Brittle starfish can reach a size of 10″ across and are a very efficient scavenger for the marine aquarium. More of a nocturnal animal, the Brittle starfish will be seldom seen out during the day but its legs may peek out from underneath live rock. Brittle starfish are named after their prickly appearance, but also the delicate nature of their “brittle” legs. If one is damaged or broken, it can be regenerated.

Diet Requirements: Brittle starfish are omnivores and will readily accept any food offered to the aquarium as a whole. At night, brittle starfish will come out from underneath live rock to scavenge on detritus, micro-organisms, and leftover food. If fed well, the central disc of the Brittle starfish will appear “plump.”

Tank Requirements: An established, minimum aquarium size of 55 gallons is recommended to house a Brittle starfish. Maintaining stable water parameters is a very important component to the success of keeping this invertebrate; they are intolerable of high nitrates. Brittle starfish can be sensitive to temperature and salinity changes. Generous live rock should be provided so that the Brittle starfish has ample places to hide, but an open sand bed is also required for foraging. Brittle starfish are reef safe unless food is scarce, to which they could predate on other invertebrates. It is absolutely necessary to take time acclimating a Brittle starfish; we suggest via drip acclimation for no less than one hour. Recommended water conditions: 76-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.024-1.026.

Purchase Size: Small: 3″ to 5″; Medium: 5″ to 7″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.

Shipping & Delivery

Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.