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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Spiny Starfish

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

On a wreck or rocky drop-off, the Spiny Starfish quickly catches the eye with its long arms bristling with spines. An inconspicuous seabed hunter, it seeks sea urchins, shellfish and worms. Even after injury, it can gradually regrow a lost arm.

Habitat de Spiny Starfish Habitat
Wreck, Sand, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de Spiny Starfish Depth
5-200 m
Groupe biologique de Spiny Starfish Group
Echinoderm
Rôle écologique de Spiny Starfish Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This starfish is recognisable by its five elongated arms, generally of slightly unequal lengths. Its upper surface is covered in rows of robust spines, giving it a very characteristic appearance. Its colour varies widely, from orange-brown to greenish, sometimes with lighter or darker mottling. The central disc is well defined and the arms are relatively thick at the base. It can regenerate after injury, particularly when an arm is lost.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on a wide variety of seabeds: rocks, detrital areas, coralligenous habitats and sometimes artificial structures such as wrecks. It occurs from shallow water into deeper areas and generally prefers environments rich in shelters.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is a predator feeding mainly on molluscs, worms, sea urchins and small benthic invertebrates. It can also consume organisms attached to the substrate.

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Other species — Echinoderm

Red Starfish Brittle star Seven-armed Starfish Mediterranean Feather Star Basket star Long-spined sea urchin Royal sea cucumber Black sea cucumber

Same habitat and depth

Wreck species Sandy seabed species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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