Description

Also known as Asteroids, Big-plated Sea Star, Big-plated Starfish, Doughboy Sea Star, Doughboy Starfish, Pillsbury Doughboy, Pillsbury Doughboy Sea Star, Granular Sea Star, Granular Starfish, Granulate Sea Star, Granulated Starfish, Red Comb Star, Starfish.

Found singly or in constellations, on rubble and sandy areas, over shallow rocky reefs. Large sea star, with five conical, short, thick arms. Varies in colour.
They feed on coral polyps, detritus, and small invertebrates.
Length - 25cm
Depth - 0-40m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

Sea Stars have remarkable regenerative powers, when attacked and damaged by predators they are able to grow new arms. They usually have five arms but have been found with 4 or 6 arms, this may be because more than one arm has been damaged at one time!
Sometimes small parasitic limpets can be found on the underside of arms which can deform the arms.
They possess a cleverly evolved arsenal of hydraulic tube feet connected to an elaborate water-vascular system that encircles the animal's mouth and extends via five radial canals down the centre of each arm.
Their mouth is underneath, but their prey is absorbed outside their mouths by forcing out their digestive organs from their stomach.
Sea Stars are carnivores and feed on almost any food including molluscs, worms, detritus and each other!
Some sea stars like the crown of thorns can be venomous. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choriaster_granulatus