Harlequin Brittle Sea Star

The Harlequin Brittle Sea Star has patterned arms that explore the reef around a small central disc. It is mainly a dusk-and-night forager and is likely to remain beneath rock cover during brighter hours.

Provide a mature aquarium with caves large enough to shelter the disc. Offer suitable sinking marine foods close to the hiding place and observe whether the star reaches them. Its scavenging activity is useful, but a sparse supply of leftovers is not a reliable long-term feeding plan.

Choose tankmates with care. Brittle stars can be opportunistic around very small fish or vulnerable shrimps, while predatory fish may damage the star itself. Keep salinity steady and use gentle transfers that do not pull the arms. Leave room for its full reach when arranging the surrounding rockwork.