Ophidiaster ophidianus
Ophidiaster ophidianus
Written by Tuesday, 20 January 2009 00:00
General
|
Scientific Name or classification |
Ophidiaster ophidianus (Lamarck, 1816)
|
|---|---|
|
Common Name |
Red starfish (UK), Astérie pourpre, astérie serpent (F) |
|
Synonyms |
None. |
|
Family |
Ophidiasteriidae |
|
Etymology |
Ophidiaster = from the Greek ophis = snake and aster = star. Ophidianus = resembling a snake. |
Species Information
|
Size (TL or SL in cm) |
Up to 40 cm. |
|---|---|
|
Identification |
It has five arms; its body is covered with little granules but no spines. Its colour ranges from intense red to purple. The colour is usually uniform though in some cases there have been observed yellow or violet patches. The arms are long with a light constriction at their base. The diameter of each arm is uniform. |
|
Sexing |
Not known |
Habitat
|
Natural distribution |
Atlantic and the Mediterranean (rare near the African coast). Prefers rocky substrate; can be found up to depths of 100 m.On rare occasions it can be seen among Poseidonias. |
|---|---|
|
Salinity (range / |
1.026-1.032 |
|
Temperature |
8° C - 26° C. |
|
Alcalinity (range / |
adaptable - subtropical to Mediterranean. |
|
Other parameters |
n / a |
|
Collection Impact |
None, the animal can be removed without any impact on its environment. |
Husbandry
|
Minimum aquarium |
Unknown. There are currently no reports of this animal having been kept in captivity. |
|---|---|
|
Light conditions |
Irrelevant |
|
Suggested |
Unknown / not reported. |
|
Suitability for |
Unknown / not reported. |
|
Recommended |
n/a |
|
Care in Captivity |
Unknown - see above. |
|
Other remarks |
n/a |
Breeding
|
Breeding |
Not reported. |
|---|
See photoalbum of Ophidiaster ophidianus.
References
Steven Weinberg, Decouvrir la Méditerranée, Edn Nathan (Paris, France), 1993, pp 224
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|