If these tiny to small, variably colored brittlestars are indeed all the same species, we see them commonly, sometimes abundantly, on a range of lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. They usually live in association with other invertebrates such as gorgonians, sponges, and apparently even echinoderms such as starfish, urchins and sea cucumbers. Some gorgonians are occupied by hundreds of these brittlestars, all tightly wrapped around the gorgonian stalks. The first few photos show one riding the starfish Fromia milleporella.
On algae or rocks.
This one is on some colonial tunicates.
Tucked down between the spines of a small sea urchin, probably Eucidaris metularia.
The next two shots show specimens among the thick, fleshy bumps of a large sea cucumber, Thelenota ananas.
Many brittlestars on the large purple sponge Ianthella basta.
Various color forms on different gorgonians.
Created 16 January 2019
Updated 6 February 2024