Ophiothrix purpurea is common on many gorgonians, black corals and soft corals growing on most seaward, pinnacle and lagoon reefs to as deep as 60m and probably deeper. The long sharp spines easily penetrate human flesh and cause painful punctures, suggesting they carry some kind of venom. Some of these could be Ophiothrix savignyi. We have not examined them closely enough to split them apart.
Created 16 January 2019