The Beautiful and Amazing Sea Star
A list of some popular species of sea star.
Sea stars, or popularly called starfish are from the phylum Echinodermata and falls under the class Asteroidea. They have five arms and display a seemingly radial symmetry. Sea stars have a movable skeleton that aids them in moving and hinting for preys that include: oysters and clams. One major characteristic of sea star is that they can regenerate lost appendages. However, to produce a new sea star, the arm must be connected to any part of the central disk.
Currently, there are about 1,800 known species of sea star that inhabit all oceans. Majority of sea star species are found in the tropical-temperate waters around the Indo-Pacific regions. Other species live along the cold-temperate water of the North Pacific.
Below is a list of the popular sea star species:
Blue Sea Star (Linckia laevigata)
It is the most common species amongst sea stars. They live in coral reefs along shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific Region and around the Northern part of Australia. They are blue in color but others bear red or purplish spots along each of its arms. Blue Sea Stars can reach 30 cm. diameter with 5 tubular arms that are stretched out and typically have short, and yellowish tube feet. Known for its amazing regenerative powers, these creatures can also reproduce asexually and are excellent nocturnal hunters.
Eleven-armed sea star (Coscinasterias calamaria)
The Eleven-armed sea star, is widespread to New Zealand and the biggest sea star in southern Australia. They are found mostly hiding in rocks in search of algae during low tides. A beautiful sea star, it is normally blue in color and some individuals bear tints of orange, green, red, gray, cream and white. Although called the Eleven-armed sea star, it can have 7 to 14 arms that can reach up to 30 cm. in diameter. It can reproduce itself by self division– has the ability to generate even an arm into a new individual. Some Eleven-armed sea stars are known to own a set of arms at varying lengths that are capable to generate to its original length.
Spiny Cushion Star (Culcita schmideliana)
The Spiny Cushion Star is a large species of sea star that doesn’t have arms and are found mostly in Indian Ocean; from eastern Africa to Malaysia. It usually grows up to 10 inches in diameter and may come in different colors.
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci)
Next to the Giant Sun star, the Crown-of-Thorns starfish is the second largest species of sea star found mostly in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea. They are solitary animals dwelling in coral reefs and seabed that feeds upon coral polyps using their tube feet. Normally, Crown-of-Thorns starfish have 12 to 19 arms and can grow up to 40 cm. across. Like other sea stars, it is capable of self- regeneration from a battered limb to full sized.
Common Sea Star (Asterias forbesi)
This species of sea star is widespread in on starfish in Arctic Norway, the north-east Atlantic and in southern Portugal. They inhibit in shell abundant gravel and rock. Common starfish colors include: orange, violet or pale brown. They have five arms and is normally 10-30cm (4-12in) across. Some species even grow up to can reach a length of up to 50cm (20in) in diameter.
Giant Sea Star (Pisaster giganteus)
This species of sea star is commonly found living in rocky sea shores and in seabed along the western shore lines of North America from Southern California to British Columbia. They are large species that can grow up to 60 cm. in diameter and come in different colors such as: red, brown or purple. Giant sea stars can live up to 20 years.
Bat Sea Star (Asterina miniata)
This sea star species displays a webbed 5-sided radial symmetry and appears like a bat’s wing. They are found living among rocks and sand bottoms; in the low-tide line up to 290 meters. Bat sea star are abundant from Alaska to Baja California. They can have varying coloration from red, orange, yellow, brown, green, gray and purple. They can grow up to 8 inches in size.
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31 Responses to “The Beautiful and Amazing Sea Star”
On March 26, 2009 at 8:48 am
A very informative article, papaleng. I love the pictures of the sea stars. I have never heard of that name. We call them star fish. It was interesting to see that they don’t all have five arms as we mostly see them. Great work.
Christine
On March 26, 2009 at 8:58 am
Another awesome and informative article papaleng,wasnt aware there was so many star fish around.I have nevr heard them called sea stars before,awesome picturs though.Was suprised to find out not all has 5 arms as I have always thought.
On March 26, 2009 at 10:17 am
your take on biology is really interesting.. so this is how you keep your students awake and focus, great pics too..
On March 26, 2009 at 10:49 am
Spectacular view for down under. The starfish are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
On March 26, 2009 at 11:08 am
Your articles are like an art gallery Papa, thanks!
On March 26, 2009 at 11:33 am
Very informative, and gorgeous pictures! You put a lot of work into your articles and it shows
On March 26, 2009 at 11:40 am
Great pictures; they look some fantastic Christmas decorations. Great job.
On March 26, 2009 at 11:51 am
Really great stuff. Very informative and well researched article.
Monica
On March 26, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Really great pictures, thanks a lot for sharing this interesting article. Cheers
On March 26, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Fascinating article and really beautiful pictures!
On March 26, 2009 at 2:18 pm
This is a fascinating piece of work! Very interesting, and great information.
Great pictures added as well.
On March 26, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Ever been to a really really good aquarium? I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is huge and you get to see all sorts of crazy sea creatures! Loved this article and such a good use of pictures!
On March 26, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Wow! I do not mean to sound stupid, but I didnt know that there was such a thing as a blue star fish…I thought they were all tan.
On March 26, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Really fascinating article with great pic!
On March 26, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I thought that too Jo. It looks like a stuffed animal. lol
On March 27, 2009 at 12:25 am
Fascinating article with great pic!
On March 27, 2009 at 4:22 am
Very interesting, I loved the blue one.
On March 27, 2009 at 5:37 am
Wonderful photo’s of starfish and great write up about them. I learn new things all the time. Thank you.
On March 27, 2009 at 8:16 am
Absolutely beautiful pics and excellent write Papaleng
On March 27, 2009 at 9:53 am
they’re attractive and the color are impressive!
On March 27, 2009 at 12:20 pm
A lovely article.
On March 27, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Wonderful starfish ,well researched stuff.
On March 27, 2009 at 6:57 pm
God is so kind and just that He made stars not only in the sky but also deep down in our ocean floors for the water creatures to look upon and admire.
On March 28, 2009 at 7:16 am
Lovely article, the starfish are beautiful.
On March 28, 2009 at 8:19 am
Excellent! That was great. well-written piece with beautiful pics. Well done,. I loved it! nThnx 4 sharing this cool stuff
On March 28, 2009 at 9:02 am
Beautiful. Stars of the skies and the seas are all in a great cosmic conspiracy so we will exist. A lovely piece as usual.
On March 28, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Lovely starfish. Thank you friend
On March 29, 2009 at 4:08 am
cool star fish
On March 29, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Wonderful article as usual, and you’ve got some beautiful pics here. I’m learning so much reading your science articles!
On April 24, 2009 at 5:16 am
Really nice!!
On July 3, 2009 at 6:12 pm
In your introductory sentence you define sea stars as having five legs but then later descibe a species with seven to fourteen legs. Sorry, I impulsively correct people.
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