Description
Orange slimy serpent starfish, Ophiomyxra flaccida, sometimes called tiger stars because of their orange and white-banded legs, are an attractive and somewhat uncommon serpent star found in Florida and the Caribbean. These are the smooth skinned serpent stars, often called slimy serpents because their “skin” surface is slick or slimy feeling. They don’t actually release any slime, so don’t be put off by the name.
Like most serpent stars, they like to spend the daylight hours tucked under rocks, but in an aquarium they will quickly come scurrying out when food is placed in the tank. Also like most starfish, they are scavengers so they will not eat your corals or harm most tank mates. They are primarily orange with white bands on their legs. When full grown, the body of these starfish will be about a 0.5 inches in diameter, and the legs will be about 2.5 inches long . Often the larger specimens will lose the banding on their legs. They will do well in any reef tank, nano reef tank, or refugium.
These starfish seem to get along well with other serpent and brittle stars and in the wild are often found together under the same rock. This bright orange color phase is very uncommon. There may be other colors available such as green and white, and yellow and white, so if you want something different email us and ask what’s available. They lower part of their body is still orange.
They are somewhat uncommon and you can receive a variety of sizes.
Steph30aydenb (verified owner) –
Got this little guy today and he is incredibly bright orange and banded and very active. Has no problem displaying himself out there for all to see. Odd for a serpent star. My purple serpent from KP is huge now and the same way. Doesnt take me long to find them. Great purchase.
Marcella (verified owner) –
So this little guy was the reason I placed my last order with KP Aquatic… and ending up getting so many other amazing sea life as well!
He is a great color! Orange and white stripes. I acclimated him slowly and then he just hung out on my main rock for a bit before burrowing himself inside a hole. Go figure! But he sticks his little arms out so we can see him. I saw him come out at night scavenging for food, I guess that is his preferred time to come out.
We really love this purchase, great coloration.
Richard Andres –
I just received several of these stars. The pattern for the most part is as shown in the pic, but the color is not as nearly as intense as I expected. All arrived very healthy though.
Jonathan Humphreys –
These are gorgeous starfish. Really nice coloration and unique patterns. They’re also insanely hardy. I (accidentally) poisoned my nano tank, killing off a large portion of my inverts. This starfish lost 4 of his 5 legs, but he survived. Within three months, he had grown back all his legs and was looking as healthy as the day I got him. These sometimes sell on ebay for 2 to 3 times the price here, so these are quite a bargain. They’ll help keep your nitrate levels low by eating any excess food, and they’re wonderful scavengers of all things dead or dying.