The other day we came across a large holdfast that was full of brittle stars. A holdfast is what anchors giant Kelp to the bottom. It is not a root system. No nutrients are going to the kelp from the holdfast. Its sole purpose is to provide the kelp with a hold on something.
This holdfast was about a foot and half across. The kelp was still attached. We figured out the kelp was about 40 feet long! Looking at the holdfast we noticed it was teeming with tiny Brittle stars. Brittle stars use the holdfasts as a home since it provides them with a safe place to live. We don’t see a lot of them since they hide in holdfasts and under rocks. The colors of the brittle stars are amazing. So enjoy the photos!

The holdfast and kelp that wrapped around the rock.
A peek at the holdfast reveals multiple brittle stars.
The brittle stars start to leave the holdfast to get into water.
In route to the water.