Ophiothrix suensoni

(Lutken, 1856)

Sponge Brittle Star

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky shallow coastal areas and clings to sponges, gorgonians, and corals.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

Tends to dwell upon gorgonians, sponges ands soft corals in the wild where it feeds upon the organic matter collected on the surfaces of these invertebrate.

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: Ophiotrichidae

Genus: Ophiothrix

FYI: 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: 68 - 79°F (20 - 26°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4