Serpent Star Acanthaster planci
Serpent stars are a type of brittlestar with long, flexible arms. During the day they wind their arms tightly round the branches of the deep-water black corals in which they live. At night they uncoil their arms and move around, feeding on the living polyps of their host. A black coral bush one or two yards high may be host for up to forty or so serpent stars.
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zoom image- Class Ophiuroidea
- Astrobrachion Adhaerens
- Diameter Up to 12 in (30 cm)
- Depth 50–600 ft (15–180 m)
- Habitat Antipatharian black corals
- Distribution Tropical and temperate waters of Australia and southwestern Pacific