Red Serpent Sea Star

The Red Serpent Sea Star (Ophioderma squamosissimum) is a visually elegant echinoderm whose long, flexible arms move with a distinctly fluid, serpentine motion that makes it one of the most captivating invertebrates to observe in a mature reef. A nocturnal scavenger, it retreats beneath rocks and into crevices during daylight hours and emerges at night to consume uneaten food, detritus, and decaying organic matter from areas inaccessible to snails and surface-grazing cleaners. Its ability to reach deep into the rockwork makes it a particularly valuable sanitation tool in complex aquascapes. The Red Serpent Star is generally reef safe but may consume very small, slow-moving invertebrates if underfed; supplement with small meaty foods occasionally to reduce predatory behavior. Compatible with most community reef inhabitants.