WHATSTHATFISH
Sea stars & urchins

Sydney Sea Star

Anthenea sidneyensis

Also known as: Asteroids, Starfish

Adult
@MBP349 · Fish Rock Dive, Australia · November 20211 / 1
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Overview

Found singly or in constellations, over algal rubble and sandy areas, over shallow to deep rocky reefs. Has five conical, short, thick arms. Varies in colour.
Australia - NSW

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.

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How to identify

Pattern
mottled

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Exact location · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly or in constellations, over algal rubble and sandy areas, over shallow to deep rocky reefs.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumEchinodermata
    3. classAsteroidea
    4. orderValvatida
    5. familyOreasteridae
    6. genusAnthenea
    7. speciesAnthenea sidneyensis Doderlein, 1915

    SourcesWoRMS

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    More in the family

    Sea Stars (Oreasteridae)