Ophiothrix fragilis

Description

Ophiothrix fragilis is a brittlestar reaching a diameter of up to 16 cm. The central disc has a diameter of about 2 cm and the five thick arms are around 7 cm long. The arms are densely covered by numerous spines. The colour is variable: pink, red, beige, brown, sometimes uniformedly coloured, sometimes multicoloured. Common brittle stars use to draw up their arms to catch food particles brought by water movements. These particles are convey into the mouth by means of numerous tube-feet scattered along the arms. These may frequently be seen emerging from seaweeds, sponges, rocks or sandy wrecks where common brittle stars find current-swept hiding places and where they may live in dense groups.

Distribution

Ophiothrix fragilis is found from surface to depths down to 500 m, in the Atlantic Ocean, the English channel, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

How to cite this page

Bay-Nouailhat A., September 2005, Description of Ophiothrix fragilis, [On line] https://european-marine-life.org/30/ophiothrix-fragilis.php, consulted on 2024 April 18.