Serpent Starfish
(Ophioderma spp.)

Description

Serpent Starfish: Agile Scavengers for Your Reef

Add a captivating and efficient cleanup crew member to your marine aquarium with the remarkable Serpent Starfish. Their unique appearance and active scavenging habits make them a fascinating addition.

Overview
Serpent Starfish (Ophioderma spp.) are striking echinoderms known for their distinct, long, slender, and flexible arms that gracefully extend from a central disc. Unlike some brittle stars, their arms are generally smooth, enabling their distinctive snake-like movement across substrate and rockwork. They come in various colours, often exhibiting patterns of browns, reds, and tans. Primarily nocturnal, these fascinating invertebrates diligently scour your tank for detritus and leftover food, contributing to a cleaner, healthier aquarium.

Care Level
Serpent Starfish are generally considered easy to moderate to care for, making them suitable for aquarists who maintain stable reef conditions. They are peaceful inhabitants, compatible with most fish and corals, especially if kept well-fed. However, always exercise caution with specific predatory species (like green or large red variants) and avoid highly aggressive tank mates such as Triggerfish or Harlequin Shrimp, which may prey on them.

Tank Essentials
A minimum tank size of 80 litres is recommended to provide ample space for a Serpent Starfish to roam and forage. Provide abundant live rock with crevices and hiding spots, as they are nocturnal and prefer to retreat during the day. Stable water parameters are crucial; they are intolerant of sudden shifts in pH, salinity, or oxygen levels.

Diet
As opportunistic scavengers and carnivores, Serpent Starfish will eagerly consume uneaten meaty foods, detritus, and small organisms found on the substrate. Supplement their diet with chopped shrimp, mussels, clam, or sinking pellets, ensuring their central disc remains “meaty” and healthy.

Why Buy From Us
When you buy Serpent Starfish online from Corais de Vidro, you receive healthy aquarium fish acclimated with care. We prioritise ethical sourcing and humane shipping, ensuring your new invertebrate arrives in prime condition, ready to thrive in your aquatic display.

• Scientific Name: Ophioderma spp.
• Common Name / Variant: Serpent Starfish
• Maximum Size: Up to 30 cm (arm span)
• Origin: Tropical and temperate marine reefs worldwide
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–27°C
• Lifespan: 3–8 years (can live longer in optimal conditions)
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Bring the dynamic elegance of a Serpent Starfish to your reef tank today!