I.D. of NZ Marine Echinoderms.

[livingart]

Oar Star

Ophiopteris antipodum

Difficulty:

Medium.

Description:

Generally a blackish red shade with its legs covered in flat spines that give it its name. It is a very fast moving brittle star.

Habitat:

Found along the coast of northern New Zealand Found in amongst boulders and rock pools at low tide.

Temperament:

Peaceful

Minimun Tank Size:

100 litres preferably larger.

Tank Age / Maturity:

At least 6 months

Diet:

They filter plankton and detritus for food.

Special Requirements:

Needs good quality water.

Incompatibilities:

Can be eaten by large Hermit Crabs or Carnivorous Snails.

Ambush Star

Stegnaster inflatus

Difficulty:

Medium.

Description:

Looks like the common cushion star but is very colourful and can be found in a range of colours and spots, (yellow purple orange white red blue/green).

Habitat:

Found along the coast of New Zealand, found in amongst boulders and rock pools at low tide.

Temperament:

Predator, will eat fish and crustaceans.

Minimun Tank Size:

100 litres preferably larger.

Tank Age / Maturity:

At least 6 months

Diet:

Feeds on snails, small fish, crustaceans and any meaty foods.

Special Requirements:

Incompatibilities:

Able to raise itself on its legs to form a trap to unwary animal hence the name ambush Star, catches seahorses fairly easily.

Common Cushion Star

Patiriella regularis

Difficulty:

Easy.

Description:

The common cushion star is a five legged star it can be colourful and can be found in a range of colours yellow purple orange white red blue/green.

Habitat:

Found along the coast of New Zealand, found in amongst boulders and rock pools at low tide.

Temperament:

Peaceful except when very large.

Minimun Tank Size:

100 litres preferably larger.

Tank Age / Maturity:

At least 6 months

Diet:

Feeds on general detritus and algae on the rockwork, glass or waste food, a good tank cleaner.

Special Requirements:

Incompatibilities:

At a larger size it can become predatory.

Reef Star

(Stichaster australis)

Habitat: Open, exposed, rocky coasts. Around new zealand

Identification: A large star which reaches a span of about 35 cm. The number of arms varies but there are usually ten, eleven or twelve. Colour varies from brown to grey.

General: The animal is strong and clings solidly to the rocks.

Very predatory large starfish, not recommended for tank life.

The Snake Star

Pectinura maculata

This is a brittlestarfish, but it isn't brittle .

It's arms are long and rounded and do not break easily.

It the largest brittle star in New Zealand growing to approximately 350 mm across.

It prefers deeper water where it lives under rocks.

They become very tame in the aquarium and will take food from your hand and move it straight to its mouth, much like an octopus.

It gives birth. to live young.

Purple spined urchin

Holopneustes purpurascens

Pic by Puttputt

Difficulty:

Moderate

Description:

A nice urchin, more white/tan that purple, at least at the stage i've collected them. Self introduced Aussie import, slowly increasing population around the north island coast.

Habitat:

Common, subtidally in weeded rocky areas.

Temperament:

Peaceful

Minimun Tank Size:

400 litres preferably larger.

Tank Age / Maturity:

At least 12 months

Diet:

Eat coraline and other encrusted bits on rocks, like tuxedo urchins. Also like most macro algaes and carries pieces around on its back for later.

Special Requirements:

Regular additions of kelp type weed and enough coraline for it to graze.

Incompatibilities:

Best to leave 1 per tank, may attack and eat each other.