Scientific name:

Ophiothrix fraglis

About:

Brittle-stars have a rounded disk-like body up to 2cm across with five very long, thin, spiny arms each up to 10cm long. They live on the sea floor, using their long legs to filter feed, catching plankton and smaller animals which are then fed back towards the mouth.

How to identify:

<p>There are several similar species of brittle-star found in British seas, which can be difficult to tell apart.</p>

Where:

Found all round our shores.

Fantastic facts:

Brittle-stars are often eaten by their larger relatives, the common starfish.