Habitat 
Depth 
Group 
Role WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The cushion star has five very short arms and a slightly raised central disc. Juveniles can be almost pentagonal. The beige, brown, greenish or grey upper surface bears very short spines producing a rough appearance.
On the underside, tube feet, extendable tubes ending in an adhesive area, lie in the arm grooves. They help the starfish move and anchor to surfaces.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
It occurs beneath stones, in cracks, among algae and in seagrass. It inhabits shallow French Mediterranean waters and some lagoons, notably Thau.
An undisturbed sighting reveals the shelter used.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
It uses varied resources, including small seabed organisms, animal remains and material on surfaces. This supports describing it as omnivorous.
It can extend part of its stomach over food, begin digestion outside the body and recover the prepared material. This differs from taking pieces with a jaw.
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