Photo Gallery Spotlight: Banded Serpent Star

By Nicolas Will Posted Apr 15, 2002 12:00 AM Pomacanthus Publications, Inc.

Each month we'll showcase a particularly nice aquarium photograph, taking the time to discuss the identification and husbandry of the animal pictured as well as information relating to the technical details of how the photo was taken.

Welcome to the Photo Gallery Spotlight. Readers are encouraged to send images (and details on the organisms pictured, as well as the details of how they captured the shot) they would like to submit for possible inclusion in this feature to terry@advancedaquarist.com . For submissions that are published in Advanced Aquarist, the author will receive a $25.00 gift certificate toward a purchase from one of our advertisers chosen by the recipient.

Banded Serpent Star: Probably Ophiolepsis superba

It is a usually harmless serpent star found in all tropical areas. It is mainly an omnivorous scavenger that usually hides in the aquarium until feeding time. It is very useful and active as part of a clean-up crew. Its mouth, scales, and ambulatory feet are clearly visible in this picture.

This was a lucky shot at night. It was climbing on the front glass. I just had the time to grab my camera, fit the flash gun and shoot with nearly no lights on. As the glass had been cleaned the same day, the sudden light was scary enough to make the star fall and run into hiding.

Nikon CoolPix 990, Nikon SB-28DX external flashgun using coiled cable, Full Auto, No aquarium light, a couple of dimmed lights in the room

Technical data: