General Description

Arms typically 11, frequently of different lengths. Body pattern mottled with combinations of blue brown, grey, green, cream, orange, red, mauve, white. Centre to arm tip up to 25 cm.

Biology

This is one of the largest seastars in Victorian waters. It has fissiparous reproduction where the animal divides in two to create new individuals. Its arms are usually of different lengths because of regeneration due to lost or damaged arms.

Habitat

Rock and sandy areas, under rocks and in the open, to depth of 150 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Seastars and allies › Sea stars

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

50 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 1645

Identify

• Seastars

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed