Granular Sea Star

Choriaster granulatus

• Group: Starfish
• Typical depth: 0–40 m
• For divers: safe

Thick, swollen arms and a granular pink skin give this sea star a plump, cushioned look as it sits exposed on reef flats down to about forty metres. It crawls over sand, coral and sponge, grazing on coral polyps, small invertebrates and whatever carrion it finds.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Echinodermata › Asteroidea › Valvatida › Oreasteridae › Choriaster

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 213280.