Brittle Startish Territorial During Feeding?

[Clinton]

Hey all,

Saw some new behavior from my 2 brittle starfish today when I fed them. They were all wrapped up with each other. Are they fighting or just coincidence? Half the time I don't see them for weeks at a time.

 

[rkpetersen]

They'll be fine. It's normal for them to tussle over food bits. Actually quite amusing to watch.
Many people will describe these as serpent stars, as opposed to brittle stars which have bristles all over the arms.
Although the names are technically interchangeable.

 

[Clinton]

Somewhere in there is a tiger bristle, but those "serpents" are a lot more active.