The Starfish – or Sea Star – may be one of the most beautiful creatures in the ocean. It is known that over 60 species bioluminize. There are some 2,000 species of sea star living in all the world’s oceans, from tropical habitats to the cold seafloor. They do not have to rely on tube feet like sea stars, but can move quite quickly with their arms. Quick facts about these branched out brittle stars! Photo credit: wikipedia.com Members of phylum Echinodermata which came from the Greek word “spiny skin”. Interesting facts: The name of “brittle stars” stems from the fragile nature of these animals – breaking easily when lifted by an appendage. They have no brain and no blood. The roughly 1,600 living species of sea stars occur in all oceans; the northern Pacific has the Description: Daisy brittle star has five slender fragile arms, and a central disk covered with fine, blunt spines and large oval plates. They are also called serpent stars because of the snakelike movements of the five mobile, slender arms. The viperfish lurks in the darkest depths of the sea. Serpent/brittle starfish; ‘the name is derived from their habit of breaking off arms as a means of defense. Echinoderms are invertebrates. Let’s check out some facts about the starfish you may not know. Brittle Stars are inedible but non-toxic; Often, brittle stars will cling on inside a sponge. Photo credit: wikipedia.com They have no brain and no blood. Brittle Stars can get around with surprising speed by slithering or dragging themselves along in a rowing motion. To determine to which species exactly belongs your specimen, an expert is needed. 6. They rapidly wiggle their arms that are highly flexible and helps them propel forward. Ten Hefty Facts About Echinoderms. Despite their older common name, they are not fishes. New arms are easily regenerated. The arms of this starfish are long and able to grow up … 1. Interesting Facts about the Brittlestar. Species of Brittle Stars on the Canary Islands The appendages are easily regenerated. 1. Brittle star (Ophiuroidea) The Brittle star lives in the One Tree Island, the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. The name is derived from their habit of breaking off arms as a means of defense. Though the two species are closely related, there are some key differences between a brittlestar and a starfish. The arms of the Ophiuroidea are very fragile and therefore they are thrown off completely or partially at the smallest touch. The arms of the Ophiuroidea are very fragile and therefore they are thrown off completely or partially at the smallest touch. There are about 7000 species of these fascinating wonders of the sea. Sea star, any marine invertebrate of the class Asteroidea (phylum Echinodermata) having rays, or arms, surrounding an indistinct central disk. Interesting Facts. Brittlestars are a variant of the starfish. Basket stars (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis, sheland argus)!