Ophiomastix caryophyllata Lütken, 1869
25mm (central disk)

This long armed, spiny brittlestar is common on lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. It can often be seen with its long arms protruding from living branching corals or holes in the reef as well as being found under rocks. The long sharp spines easily penetrate skin and apparently have an associated venom. Being spined by one of these is much more painful that a small puncture wound warrants.

Curling and spiny arm protruding from a hole in the reef.

Created 16 January 2019

Return to brittlestars

Kwajalein Underwater Home