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Spiny Starfish

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

Brittany's fishermen once discarded fragments of unwanted starfish caught in their nets, attempting to reduce the number of predators threatening shellfish. In the case of the spiny starfish, however, regeneration complicated this approach. Natural history accounts associate the practice with the species' expansion along parts of the Breton coast, although the extent of its actual contribution cannot be established from the available evidence.

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Habitat of Spiny Starfish Habitat
Wreck, Sand, Rocky habitat
Depth range of Spiny Starfish Depth
5-200 m
Biological group of Spiny Starfish Group
Ecological role of Spiny Starfish Role
Predator

Average size

35 cm

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Three rows of thick, prominent spines run along each arm of the spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis). The spines look as though they rise from small fleshy collars.

Five rounded arms, sturdy at the base, narrow towards the tips. Green, grey, orange, yellow or violet shades make up very different, sometimes mottled colour patterns.

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 including environments rich in shelter.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The spiny starfish feeds mainly on bivalve molluscs, including mussels, oysters and scallops. When it catches a mussel, it grips the prey with its arms and uses its many tube feet to pull on the two valves. As soon as a sufficient opening appears, it everts part of its stomach through its mouth and inserts it between the shells. Digestive juices then begin breaking down the prey's tissues, which the starfish gradually absorbs. It may also catch sea urchins or feed on animal remains.

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Spiny Starfish

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Other species — Echinoderm

Red Starfish Brittle star Seven-armed Starfish Black sea urchin Smooth starfish Spiny starfish Cushion star Red comb star

Same habitat and depth

Wreck species Sandy seabed species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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