General Description

Small species with a disc covered in numerous tiny plates, no spines. Arms moderately long and sinuous. Up to 8 arm spines on the side of each segment, one oval tentacle scale. Broods its young internally; the juvenile arms can sometimes be seen protruding from the genital slit near the base of the arms. Colour pale grey or brown disc with dusky banded arms. Disc up to 7 mm wide, arm up to 5 cm long.

Biology

This species is probably a detrital feeder.

Habitat

Found in clumps of algae, seagrass and encrusting invertebrates or under stones, from intertidal rock pools to the inner continental shelf (0-60 m), rarely to the upper continental slope (275 m).

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Around Australia.

Species Group

Seastars and allies › Brittle stars

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

7 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 662

Identify

• Brittle stars

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed