Sep 25, 2024
#2525 - Astrostole scabra - Seven-armed Sea Star
This one only has 5 arms. Sometimes they have eight. One of New Zealand's larger seastars, but also found in Eastern and Southern Australia.
A wandering predator of molluscs including mussels and sea snails, found from intertidal areas down to 150m. They may be orange through dark red to brown, or light blue to grey. Adults may be 35cm across, but intertidal individuals are generally smaller with thicker armour.
Breaker Bay, Wellington, New Zealand