Chocolate chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Protoreaster nodosus
- Common name
- Chocolate chip sea star
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Oreasteridae
- Genus
- Protoreaster
- Size
- 20–40 cm
- Depth
- 0–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- seagrass, sand
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Protoreaster nodosus reaches 40 cm. Large sea star with stocky body and 5 short arms (triangular-arms) beige-brown, pink, orange, red or purple color with distinctive rows of black conical nodules (horns) on back (hence nodosus). Lives from 0 to 30 m on seagrass, sand and lagoons of Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Feeds on small invertebrates, algae and organic matter. Local commercial fishery for souvenirs (fragile, facing pressure). Iconic photo subject of Southeast Asian seagrass.
Photo of Chocolate chip sea star
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Chocolate chip sea star?
- Chocolate chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus) reaches 20–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Chocolate chip sea star?
- Chocolate chip sea star is found between 0–30 m deep.
- Is the Chocolate chip sea star dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Chocolate chip sea star?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Chocolate chip sea star?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Protoreaster
Other species in the family Oreasteridae
- Culcita novaeguineae - Cushion sea star
- Oreaster reticulatus - Red cushion sea star
- Culcita schmideliana - Pincushion sea star
- Choriaster granulatus - Granulated Starfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 213285)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5187269)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia