Description

Also known as Common Sea Star, Ochre Star, Ochre Starfish, Pisaster Seastar, Purple Sea Star, Purple Star, Purple Starfish, Starfish, Webbed Sea Star.

Found singly or in constellations, often in great numbers over mussel beds, or attached to the substrate, over wave washed rocky shores.
They feed on invertebrates and molluscs, although their favorite food is the Californian Mussel.
Length - 35cm
Depth - 0-90m
Widespread Eastern 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/Pisaster_ochraceus