Black Brittle Star - Ophiocomina nigra

Characteristics:

It is a relatively large brittle star, reaching a diameter of 25 cm in some cases. The color is black or dark grey. The surface of the central disk is smooth. The diameter of the disk is approximately one fifth of the arm length. The arms are thicker than the arms of most brittle stars. The arm spines are thin and colored white or grey.

Habitat:

The black brittle star can be found on any depth down to 400 meters. It is not choosy on habitats, it seems to thrives on any substrate. It sometimes appears in large numbers, more than a hundred individuals per square meter.

Distribution:

The black brittle star is registered in the East Atlantic Ocean, from Lofoten, Norway to the Azores and the Mediterranean.