Blue spiny starfish (Coscinasterias tenuispina)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Coscinasterias tenuispina
- Common name
- Blue spiny starfish
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Asteriidae
- Genus
- Coscinasterias
- Size
- 10–20 cm
- Depth
- 0–125 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, reef
- Behaviours
- predator
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Coscinasterias tenuispina is an unusual Mediterranean sea star with 7 to 8 often unequal arms. 10 to 20 cm across. Reproduces by asexual fission: it splits in two and regenerates the missing arms, hence the asymmetry. Variable colors: grey, brown, purple. Carnivore, preys on small mollusks. Common on rocky and coralligenous bottoms.
Photo of Blue spiny starfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blue spiny starfish?
- Blue spiny starfish (Coscinasterias tenuispina) reaches 10–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blue spiny starfish?
- Blue spiny starfish is found between 0–125 m deep.
- Is the Blue spiny starfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blue spiny starfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blue spiny starfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Asteriidae
- Asterias rubens - Common starfish
- Pisaster ochraceus - Ochre sea star
- Marthasterias glacialis - Spiny sea star
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 123795)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2273832)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia