#valvatida

[snototter]

A purple sunstar (Solaster endeca) in the White Sea

by Alexander Semenov

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

This star isn't far away-- it's just very, very small! Parvulastra parvivipara is the smallest known species of starfish, with adults reaching only 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter. What's even more interesting, the Tasmanian live-beaing sea star is a self-fertilizing hermaphrodite, and juveniles hatch and develop within their parents gonads before being released, making them ovoviviparous.

(Image: A trio of Tasmanian live-bearing sea stars (Parvulastra parvivipara) by John Eichler)

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

Have you seen the chocolate chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onMar 3, 2025

[saritawolf]

Blue Linckia (Linckia laevigata) (c) SaritaWolf - please do not repost

[every-day-creechur]

Bradley's Sea Star Mithrodia bradleyi

Bradley's sea star lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Chile, including the Gulf of California. It is also found in the Galapagos Islands. It lives on rocky bottoms and coral reefs from the intertidal zone to 50 metres (160 ft) deep.

image by Billy Bensted-Smith

[rattyexplores]

The Indo-Pacific Sand Star

Not as colorful as you’d imagine a sea star to be. Yet, still lovely creatures.(These stars traverse the sands on the sea shores, watch where you step!)

There also appear to be small snails on the underside of Specimen 1.

Archaster typicus

15/06/22

[animalids]

Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)

Photo by Kary Mar

[nature-and-biodiversity-blog]

Chocolate Chip Sea Star Protoreaster nodosus