Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthaster planci
- Common name
- Crown-of-thorns starfish
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Acanthasteridae
- Genus
- Acanthaster
- Size
- 25–70 cm
- Depth
- 0–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- predator, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Acanthaster planci reaches 70 cm. Large sea star with 7 to 23 arms covered in long sharp spines carrying painful venom. Coral predator: everts its stomach over a polyp to digest it. During outbreaks, populations explode and devastate entire reefs across the Indo-Pacific. Targeted culls practiced on the Great Barrier Reef. Never touch: stings are very painful and potentially septic.
Photo of Crown-of-thorns starfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Crown-of-thorns starfish?
- Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) reaches 25–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Crown-of-thorns starfish?
- Crown-of-thorns starfish is found between 0–60 m deep.
- Is the Crown-of-thorns starfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Crown-of-thorns starfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Crown-of-thorns starfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Similar species
- Paracentrotus lividus - Purple sea urchin
- Astropecten aranciacus - Red comb star
- Ophiothrix fragilis - Common brittle star
- Holothuria tubulosa - Tubular sea cucumber
- Ophidiaster ophidianus - Purple sea star
- Hacelia attenuata - Attenuated sea star
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 213289)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2271208)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia