Black Brittle Star

Description:

Spiny black star about 6-7 inches across.

Habitat:

Nearshore insular tropical waters.

Notes:

Spotted in about two feet of water offshore of the Kahala Hiton hotel. The spotting occurred when I lifted a piece of coral rubble under which it was harboring. I picked it up and offered my granddaughter a chance to hold it. She practiced social distancing. I returned it to the bottom where it rapidly crawled off and found a new place to hide. N.B. This species, like all brittle stars, is not a true starfish.