Blue sea star (Linckia laevigata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Linckia laevigata
- Common name
- Blue sea star
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Ophidiasteridae
- Genus
- Linckia
- Size
- 20–40 cm
- Depth
- 0–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, seagrass
- Behaviours
- solitary, slow
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Linckia laevigata reaches 40 cm. Cylindrical 5-armed sea star, characteristic brilliant blue ranging from royal to turquoise (rarely pink, green or purple). Lives on reefs, lagoons and sandy bottoms across the Indo-Pacific down to 60 m. Feeds on biofilm and organic matter. Frequent host of the parasitic shrimp Thyca crystallina attached to its arms. A star of all tropical reef photography.
Photo of Blue sea star
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blue sea star?
- Blue sea star (Linckia laevigata) reaches 20–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blue sea star?
- Blue sea star is found between 0–60 m deep.
- Is the Blue sea star dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blue sea star?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blue sea star?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Linckia
Other species in the family Ophidiasteridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 207610)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5187093)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia