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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Red Starfish

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

In a Posidonia meadow or on a rocky drop-off, the Red Starfish immediately catches the eye. Its slender arms and brilliant colour contrast with the surroundings. As it moves slowly over the seabed, it contributes to the natural recycling of marine organic matter.

Habitat de Red Starfish Habitat
Sand, Seagrass meadow, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de Red Starfish Depth
1-60 m
Groupe biologique de Red Starfish Group
Echinoderm
Rôle écologique de Red Starfish Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This starfish is easily recognised by its uniform red colour, sometimes orange. It generally has five slender, elongated, slightly cylindrical arms extending from a well-defined central disc. Its surface is covered with small, inconspicuous calcareous structures, giving it a finely grainy appearance. Its mouth is on the underside, while the upper side bears a small excretory opening. It can regenerate a lost arm if part of the central disc remains intact.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on rocky seabeds, in detrital areas and in Posidonia seagrass meadows. It occurs from shallow water down to several tens of metres, most often in areas rich in shelters and benthic fauna.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It mainly feeds on organic particles, seabed deposits and microorganisms. Its diet is therefore rather opportunistic, depending on the resources available on the substrate.

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Other species — Echinoderm

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Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Seagrass meadow species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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