Astrophyton muricatum

(Lamarck, 1816)

Caribbean Basket Star

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico, Florida to Brazil.

Size: Body dimension of about 1 inch (2.5 cm), yet arm length exceeds 24 inches (60 cm).

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef areas where it hides curled up like a ball during the day in caves, beneath corals or in crevices, then in evening opens to climb higher up on the reef to feed on passing plankton. Often seen to depths of about 100 feet (30 m).

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

Best maintained in aquaria with live rock caves where it can rest in isolation and not be disturbed by tankmates during the daytime.

Once uncurling, usually early evening/when the main lighting systems dims, and beginning to seek food, live and/or preserved commercial phyto/zooplankton products should be dispensed into the areas where it has positioned itself to capture plankton. Several feedings daily may be necessary to maintain this animal long-term.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Ophiuroidea

Order: Euryalida

Family: Gorgonocephalidae

Genus: Astrophyton

FYI: Sudden changes in salinity may have a drastic result, therefore acclimate as noted below.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Omnivore/Plankton feeder

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Challenging

Temperature Range: 68 - 80°F (20 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Water Movement: Moderate

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4