Daisy Brittle Star (Ophiopholis aculeata)

Other Names: Painted brittle star

Description: The daisy brittle star is considered one of the most common species of sea stars in the world. They range in color and pattern, but are often a red shade with dark bands along the rays. Daisy brittle stars have 5-7 rays and can reach up to 20cm in diameter. 

Habitat: Daisy brittle stars range along the coast of the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to southern California. Brittle stars tend to be quite shy, hiding beneath rocks or burrowed in the sand or mud within tide-pools. Due to their shy nature, brittle stars are typically nocturnal, hiding in rock crevices or sand during the day, and coming out to roam at night. 

Diet: The daisy brittle stars diet consists of small bits of decaying matter and small organisms. They will occasionally eat larger prey such as small crustaceans and polychaete worms. 

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Daisy brittle stars’ arms can detach when handled by humans or predators  (this is where their name of brittle comes from).

•  Daisy brittle stars are the most active out of all the species of echinoderms, and can move fairly quickly. 

Reference: Central Coast Biodiversity