Purple sea star (Ophidiaster ophidianus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Ophidiaster ophidianus
- Common name
- Purple sea star
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Ophidiasteridae
- Genus
- Ophidiaster
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 10–100 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, slow
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Ophidiaster ophidianus reaches 30 cm. Sea star with 5 long, cylindrical and smooth arms of almost serpentine aspect, vivid red to purple. Lives on rocky and coralligenous Mediterranean bottoms between 10 and 100 m. Populations in marked decline in the Mediterranean due to collection for decoration and coralligenous habitat degradation. IUCN Vulnerable. Never collect.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Purple sea star?
- Purple sea star (Ophidiaster ophidianus) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Purple sea star?
- Purple sea star is found between 10–100 m deep.
- Is the Purple sea star dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Purple sea star?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Purple sea star?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Ophidiasteridae
- Hacelia attenuata - Attenuated sea star
- Linckia laevigata - Blue sea star
- Linckia multifora - Mottled sea star
- Linckia guildingi - Caribbean Spindle Starfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 124101)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2272634)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia