{"product_id":"black-brittle-star","title":"Black Brittle Star","description":"\u003cbody\u003e\n\n\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\"\u003e\n\u003ctitle\u003eBlack Brittle Star\u003c\/title\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBlack Brittle Star\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Brittle Star (\u003cem\u003eOphiocoma scolopendrina\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most hardworking and effective cleanup crew members you can add to a saltwater system. With five long, flexible, spiny arms radiating from a compact central disc, this Indo-Pacific species is built for one thing — \u003cstrong\u003egetting into every corner of your reef that nothing else can reach\u003c\/strong\u003e. It navigates deep into rockwork crevices, under substrate, and through the tightest gaps in your aquascape, consuming detritus, uneaten food, and decaying organic matter before it can break down and impact your water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike slower-moving CUC members, the Black Brittle Star is visibly active — especially after the lights go down, when it emerges fully and moves with surprising speed across the rockwork and sandbed. Its five arms work independently and continuously, sweeping and probing every surface for food. It also has the remarkable ability to regenerate lost arms — a natural defense mechanism that makes it one of the most resilient invertebrates in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, reef safe, and undemanding, the Black Brittle Star is an excellent addition to any established reef system looking to strengthen its natural filtration from the ground up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#1a5a61;\"\u003eAvailable Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(180deg,#f6fbf8 0%, #edf7f2 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6e3; border-radius: 12px; padding: 13px 15px;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"color:#1a5a61; margin-bottom:6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Brittle Star — Single\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne healthy Black Brittle Star (\u003cem\u003eOphiocoma scolopendrina\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eActive and ready to begin foraging immediately upon introduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e100% reef safe — compatible with corals, fish, and all peaceful invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#184f69;\"\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:10px 10px;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e75–82°F — stable temps essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🧂 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.023–1.025 — drip acclimate carefully\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🐠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful — reef safe with all inhabitants\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasy — thrives in established systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🍽️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScavenger — detritus, uneaten food, organic matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🏠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eHabitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLive rock and sandy substrate — needs hiding spots\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#6a6b58;\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#faf8ee; border:1px solid #e6e1c9; border-left:4px solid #b7ad78; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; color:#22323a;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003eBrittle stars are highly sensitive to sudden changes in salinity — always drip acclimate slowly over at least 30–60 minutes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Never expose to copper-based medications. In very clean, low-nutrient systems, supplement with occasional target feeding of mysis shrimp or small sinking pellets placed near the rockwork in the evening. Keep away from large aggressive predators such as triggers and puffers that may attack them. Avoid the closely related Green Brittle Star (\u003cem\u003eOphiarachna incrassata\u003c\/em\u003e), which is a known predator of fish — the Black Brittle Star is a completely different, peaceful species.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003e🔍 Aquarium Insights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Brittle Star is a standout addition to any reef cleanup crew:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAccesses areas of the tank that no other CUC member can — deep crevices, under rock overhangs, and tight substrate gaps\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNaturally regenerates lost arms — one of the most resilient invertebrates available in the hobby\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNocturnal and fascinating to watch — a moonlight or dim evening light reveals a surprisingly fast and active animal hard at work in your reef\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eFor detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/pages\/species-library\" style=\"color:#1d5c78;\"\u003eSpecies Library\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f6f8f9; border:1px solid #dde4e7; border-left:4px solid #8a98a0; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; font-size:13px; color:#607078; line-height:1.65;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong style=\"color:#46545b;\"\u003eLivestock Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:8px 0 10px;\"\u003eDue to natural variation, the brittle star you receive may vary slightly in arm span and coloration. Photographs are representative examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eIndividual specimens may display differences depending on tank conditions and available food sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eAs with all live animals, proper drip acclimation and a stable, established environment are essential for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/body\u003e","brand":"Macroalgae Farms","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47960291115267,"sku":"S1","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/7151\/7699\/files\/hf_20260421_050058_5dc9df77-e5c9-4ded-8126-75f1596d7059.png?v=1776747871","url":"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/products\/black-brittle-star","provider":"Macroalgae Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}