Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Tunze 

Family Ophiodermatidae

Ophiarachna incrassata

(Lamarck, 1816)

Green Brittle Star

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Sri Lanka to Hawaii.

Size: 22 inches (55 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef areas and generally found in crevices and under rocks.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.

Best maintained in aquaria with live rock caves where it can hide during daylight hours and since this is a scavenger, its best not placed in new systems.

During evening hours will search the substrates for organic matter.

A valuable member of a cleanup crew, as it will forge for uneaten foods. Nevertheless, to be sure its getting the nutrition needed, placing several shrimp pellets in dark corners of the aquarium in early evening hours a couple of times monthly may help lengthen its lifespan.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Echinodermata

    Class: Ophiuroidea

    Order: Ophiurida

    Family: Ophiodermatidae

    Genus: Ophiarachna

FYI: Has short yellow and black bristles along green arms. A commonly kept brittle star, however, a possible fish and shrimp eater.

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

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Omnivore

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: Moderate

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

 Ophiarachna incrassata (Green Brittle Star)
Photo © Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
AquaLogic