General Description

Disc round, scaled with a conspicuous triangular notch on the disc near the base of the arms, which is bordered by minute spines. Arms stiff with up to 12 minute adpressed arm spines on the side of each arm segment. Colour: disc patterned grey and white, with a pink patch near the base of the arms covering the radial shields. Arms banded white, pink and dark. Disc to 1 cm diameter, with arms twice as long.

Biology

This is the only species still living from this genus, although fossils are known from North America. Feeding is unknown, although it is thought to be a carnivore.

Habitat

Coarse sediment, in depths of 15-84 m.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern Australia, excluding Tasmania. Rarely found in Victoria.

Species Group

Seastars and allies › Brittle stars

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 1907

Identify

• Brittle stars

Conservation Status

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