Cushion sea star (Culcita novaeguineae)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Culcita novaeguineae
- Common name
- Cushion sea star
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Oreasteridae
- Genus
- Culcita
- Size
- 20–30 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- benthic, predator
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Culcita novaeguineae reaches 30 cm. Sea star with extremely thickened and inflated body in bumpy pentagonal cushion shape, arms almost invisible merged into body. Highly variable color: beige, orange, red, brown, yellow with marbled and irregular patterns. Lives from 1 to 50 m on coral reefs and sands of Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Corallivore predator: feeds on hard coral polyps by external digestion. Negative localized impact on some reefs but less severe than Acanthaster. Remarkable photo subject for its unexpected shape.
Photo of Cushion sea star
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cushion sea star?
- Cushion sea star (Culcita novaeguineae) reaches 20–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cushion sea star?
- Cushion sea star is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Cushion sea star dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Cushion sea star?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Cushion sea star?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Culcita
Other species in the family Oreasteridae
- Protoreaster lincki - Red-knobbed sea star
- Protoreaster nodosus - Chocolate chip sea star
- Oreaster reticulatus - Red cushion sea star
- Choriaster granulatus - Granulated Starfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 212298)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5187244)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia