Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Ophiuroidea

Order: Ophiurae

Family: Ophiactidae

Scientific name: Ophiopholis aculeata

 

Norwegian: kameleonslangestjerne

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 15 meters / 8.14.2001)

Distribution: Found along the entire Norwegian coast, most frequently between 10 and 60 meters depth. It hides under stones or in crevices. Usually you will only see the tip of the arms waving at you.

Characteristics: This large brittle star comes in many colorations, but red and brown tones are dominating the pattern. The central disk can reach a diameter of 2 cm. The five arms can get as long as 8 cm. Fish are happy to eat the crevice brittle star, if they can get to it.

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