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echinoderms
text index | photo
index
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| Phylum Echinodermata > Class Stellaroida > Subclass Ophiuroidea |
Rirst size given is for diameter of central disk, second size for length of arms
| Whole animal 1-2cm. Under stones, sometimes in large numbers. Sometimes seen on some of our shores. | Whole animal 1-2cm. Common in sponges, sometimes in large numbers. | Whole animal 1cm. Sometimes seen on soft corals, sea fans. | Whole animal 1-2cm. Sometimes seen on feather stars. | 10cm in diameter with arms. Each arm branched into 'tendrils'. On coral rubble near living reefs. Rarely seen. |
| less than 1cm; 2-5cm. Disk thick and star-shaped. Arms with long cylindrical spines all around so it resembles a bottle-brush. Muddy silty areas among seagrasses. Commonly seen on our Northern shores, especially at night. | less than 1cm; 5cm. Disk flat, circular. Arms wide, flat with flat spines along the sides. Barred pattern along the length of the arms. Muddy silty areas near seagrasses. Commonly seen on our Northern shores especially at night. | 1cm; 10-20cm.Disk thick, pentagonal. Arms long with long cylindrical spines held like a bottle brush. Arms with pair of dark lines that extend onto central disk. In rubbly areas. Sometimes seen on our Northern shore especially at night. | less than 1cm; arms 20-30cm about 2cm wide with spines, which are only along the sides of the arms. Arms may be banded. Usually in coral rubble with only their long arms extended. Commonly seen at night. | 1cm; 5cm. Disk thick, petal-shaped. Arms withlong cylindrical spines held like a bottle brush. Often seen upside down. Among seagrasses and seaweeds. Sometimes seen on our Northern shores, especially at night. |
Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.
These are NOT brittle stars
how to tell apart
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