Red Brittle Starfish

Red Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma wendti)

Hand-collected by our team, the Red Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma wendti) is a hardy, nocturnal scavenger that makes an excellent addition to marine aquariums. Native to the Caribbean and Florida, this active echinoderm spends much of the day tucked beneath rockwork before emerging at night to forage for detritus, biofilm, and leftover food. Its long, slender arms allow it to navigate tight spaces with ease, making it an efficient member of any clean-up crew.

Brittle Starfish thrive in mature aquariums with stable water parameters, abundant live rock, and plenty of hiding places. Peaceful and easy to care for, they are well suited for both reef and fish-only marine systems.

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Maximum Size: Approximately 8 inches across
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Diet: Omnivore (detritus, biofilm, leftover meaty foods)
• Reef Safe: Yes

Reef Compatibility

Reef Aquarium: Excellent choice for reef aquariums.

Corals: Safe with soft, LPS, and SPS corals. Brittle 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, and tangs. Avoid housing with large predatory fish such as triggers, puffers, large wrasses, or hawkfish, which may prey on their arms or body.

Sensitive Invertebrates: Generally safe with snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, and other common reef invertebrates. They are opportunistic scavengers and typically ignore healthy invertebrates, though they may consume dying or deceased animals as part of their natural cleanup role.

Experience Level

Beginner

The Brittle Starfish is one of the hardiest starfish available to hobbyists and is well suited for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. It should only be introduced into established aquariums with stable salinity and water chemistry, as echinoderms are highly sensitive to rapid changes in water parameters. Slow drip acclimation is strongly recommended.

With its fascinating nocturnal behavior, graceful movements, and valuable scavenging habits, the Brittle Starfish is a unique and beneficial addition to reef and fish-only marine aquariums.