Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Ophiuroidea

Order: Ophiurae

Family: Ophiotrichidae

Scientific name: Ophiothrix fragilis

 

Norwegian: hårstjerne

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 16 meters / 8.08.2001)

Distribution: Like the crevice brittle star, the common brittle star lives under stones or in crevices. It is common along the Norwegian coast, as far north as the west coast of Finnmark. You can find it on any diveable depth.

Characteristics: The common brittle star is a very colorful species. Shades of blue are often dominating the coloration on the arms. The common brittle star can be identified by the light pentagon or star shaped mark on the central disk. In the center of the central disk there is a clearly visible spine. The disk can grow to a diameter of 2 cm and the five arms can be almost 10 cm long.

All pictures: