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Invertebrates |  |
Phylum: Echinodermata, Class: Ophiuroidea
Range: Indo-Pacific Region
Size: 10 in. Space:: 75+ gal. Diet: Fish, crustaceans
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Caution
Natural History: The Knobby Fancy Brittle Star is a nocturnal opportunistic predator that is rarely seen by day. At night, it moves about rocky habitats in search of prey. It is reported to produce a toxic mucus that can cause paralysis in small animals.
Husbandry: The Knobby Fancy Brittle Star should be housed in an aquarium with live rock to provide ample hiding places. It may eat small fish or crustaceans that it can catch at night. Fish that sleep on the bottom in cracks and crevices are most at risk. It will eat dead fish it finds and it is an excellent scavenger in a home aquarium. It is reported to produce a toxic slime so it should be handled with care. All brittle stars are sensitive to changes in water chemistry and temperature, so drip acclimation for at least 4 hours is recommended before adding to a home aquarium.
AKA: Red and White Brittle Star, Chain-link Brittle Star