[2] Ophionotus victoriae is endemic to the seas around Antarctica where it is found at depths down to 1,266 metres (4,154 ft).

[3] Like other Antarctic invertebrates, Ophionotus victoriae has a slow growth rate and can live up to 22 years.

[3] It is a predator and opportunistic generalist and feeds on a wide range of invertebrates, especially krill.

It is itself preyed on by fish and also by the large brittle star, Ophiosparte gigas, from which it flees.

[2] The females spawn in the Antarctic summer and the larvae develop slowly, forming part of the zooplankton before settling on the seabed and becoming juvenile brittle stars.