Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish

Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish (Ophiomyxa flaccida)

Hand-collected by our team, the Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish (Ophiomyxa flaccida) is a stunning Caribbean brittle star prized for its brilliant orange harlequin-like coloration, velvety appearance, and graceful, flowing arms. Native to the tropical western Atlantic, including Florida and the Caribbean, this nocturnal scavenger spends its days hidden beneath rockwork before emerging after dark to forage for detritus, biofilm, and leftover food. Its vibrant color and unique texture make it a standout addition to any marine aquarium.

Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish thrive in established aquariums with stable water parameters, abundant live rock, and plenty of hiding places. Peaceful and hardy, they serve as an effective member of the clean-up crew while adding fascinating nighttime activity to both reef and fish-only systems.

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Maximum Size: Approximately 12 inches across
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Diet: Omnivore (detritus, biofilm, leftover meaty foods)
• Reef Safe: Yes

Reef Compatibility

Reef Aquarium: Excellent choice for reef aquariums.

Corals: Completely safe with soft, LPS, and SPS corals. Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish do not feed on healthy coral tissue.

Fish Tank Mates: Peaceful and compatible with most reef-safe fish, including clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, wrasses, tangs, and dwarf angelfish. Avoid keeping with large predatory fish such as triggers, puffers, large wrasses, or hawkfish, which may injure or prey upon the starfish.

Sensitive Invertebrates: Generally safe with snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, and other peaceful reef invertebrates. As an opportunistic scavenger, it primarily feeds on detritus and uneaten food, while healthy invertebrates are typically ignored.

Experience Level

Beginner

The Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced marine hobbyists. It adapts well to established aquariums with stable salinity and water chemistry but should never be introduced into newly established systems. Like all echinoderms, it is highly sensitive to rapid changes in water parameters, making slow drip acclimation essential.

With its brilliant orange coloration, velvety appearance, and graceful nocturnal behavior, the Orange Harlequin Serpent Starfish is both a beautiful display animal and a hardworking scavenger that enhances the health and diversity of reef and fish-only marine aquariums.