General Description

Arms 5, arm rays merge with disc, pentagonal. Six large plates around the edge between arm tips. Plates on oral surface underneath near the mouth usually bare. Colour varies including uniform bright orange to mottled and stellate patterns in brown pink and purple. Centre to arm tip up to 5 cm.

Biology

This species was recently split into two species. This one does not brood embryos under the body like similar species do.

Habitat

In the open or under rocks in the lower intertidal and sub-tidal zones, to depth of 40 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

10 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 1686

Identify

• Seastars

Conservation Status

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