Echinaster

Echinaster is a genus of starfish belonging to the family Echinasteridae. These starfish are characterized by their typically spiny arms, which can vary in number from three to nine, though five-armed species are most common. The surface of Echinaster starfish is often rough or granular, giving them a distinctive texture. Their coloration can be quite diverse, ranging from bright reds and oranges to purples, browns, and even greens, often depending on the species and their environment.

Echinaster starfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, inhabiting a variety of marine habitats. They can be observed on coral reefs, rocky substrates, sandy bottoms, and in seagrass beds. Their diet typically consists of small invertebrates, such as sponges, bivalves, and polychaete worms, which they capture and consume using their tube feet and stomach. Echinaster species play a role in their ecosystems by preying on other organisms and by being a food source for larger predators. Reproduction in Echinaster is usually sexual, with external fertilization, although some species are known to reproduce asexually through fragmentation. The genus includes numerous species, each with specific ecological niches and distribution patterns.