A small star, with 5 easily broken arms. Beige with bother lighter and darker splotches.

It is seldom found in the open, but lives underneath stones or inside cavities from where it extends its arms. Lives in the very low tide to subtidal zones.

It feeds on plankton and detritus. Food sticks to mucus and is then transported to the central mouth by many almost invisible tubefeet.

The mottled brittlestar does not move by means of its tube feet but walks on its arms quickly to safety.

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/habitat/rsechino.htm (accessed 20/08/10)