The Brittle Starfish is a fascinating and beneficial addition to reef and marine aquariums. Known for its long, flexible arms and impressive scavenging abilities, this nocturnal invertebrate helps keep your aquarium clean by consuming leftover food, detritus, and organic waste. During the day, Brittle Stars often hide within rockwork, extending their arms out to search for food, while becoming more active after lights out.
Hardy and easy to care for, Brittle Starfish are excellent members of a clean-up crew and are suitable for both beginner and experienced hobbyists. Their unique appearance and intriguing behavior make them a favorite among reef keepers.
At My Tiny Fins, we carefully select healthy livestock and package every order with care. We proudly offer a Live Arrival Guarantee and primarily ship livestock on Mondays and Tuesdays to ensure the safest delivery possible.
Care Information
Scientific Name: Ophiuroidea
Common Name: Brittle Starfish
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore / Scavenger
Reef Safe: Yes
Adult Size: Varies by species, typically 6–12+ inches across
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 76–80°F
Salinity: 1.023–1.026
Care Tips –
– Provide plenty of live rock and crevices where the starfish can hide during the day.
– Maintain stable salinity and water parameters, as echinoderms are sensitive to sudden changes.
– Acclimate slowly using a drip acclimation method.
– Feed occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, pellets, or small pieces of seafood if natural food sources are limited.
– Avoid exposing the starfish to air for extended periods during acclimation and transfer.
– Most species are excellent reef-safe scavengers and help clean up uneaten food.
Fun Fact –
Brittle Starfish can move surprisingly fast compared to traditional sea stars. Instead of slowly gliding on tube feet, they use their flexible arms to “crawl” across rocks and substrate in search of food.
Why You’ll Love Them –
– Excellent member of the clean-up crew
– Helps consume leftover food and detritus
– Hardy and easy to care for
– Unique appearance and behavior
– Reef-safe and peaceful
Live Arrival Guarantee: We stand behind the quality of our livestock and offer a Live Arrival Guarantee. Please review our policy for complete details. Livestock shipments are typically shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays to ensure the safest and fastest delivery possible.
The Brittle Starfish is a hardworking and fascinating invertebrate that provides both utility and interest, making it a valuable addition to almost any marine aquarium. 🌟🌊🐠
