Nectria ocellata - Ocellate Sea Star (Edgar, 1997)

Habitat: Exposed reef; 0 - 240 m depth Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 130 mm Diet: Sessile invertebrates e.g. sponges, ascideans Comments:  This seastar can be brightly coloured in oranges and reds.

Petricia vernicina - Velvet Star (Edgar, 1997)

Habitat: Reef; 0 - 60 m depth Distribution: WA to QLD and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 90 mm Diet: Encrusting invertebrates, including sponges, ascideans and bryozoans Comments:  The velvet stars vary in colour from red to orangy brown. They have soft rubbery skin and very large respiratory papulae, the whitish bumps visible on the upper surface.

Fromia polypora - Many pored Star (Edgar, 1997)

Habitat: Exposed reef; 1 - 160 m depth Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 110 mm Diet: Sponges, ascideans Comments: Long bright orange/yellow arms.

Patiriella exigua  (Edgar, 1997)

Habitat: Rock pools Distribution: SA to Qld and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 13 mm Diet: Encrusting invertebrates Comments:  Brown to green-blue on upper surface and lighter green-blue underneath. Common in the intertidal zone.

Patiriella calcar - Cushion Sea Star Picture: MDC

Habitat: Rock pools; 0 - 10 m depth Distribution: WA to QLD and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 50 mm Diet: Omnivorous (algae, detritus, mussels, other invertebrates) Comments:  Brilliant range of colours.

Patiriella vivipara - Live Bearing Star (Edgar, 1997)

Habitat: Sheltered rocky shores; low intertidal Distribution: Eaglehawk Neck to Margate, Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 15 mm Diet: Comments:  This species broods it's young within the body then releases them directly through the upper body wall. They therefore lack the dispersive larval stage of other sea stars, reducing their distribution and therefore their chances of survival if their habitat is impacted by humans.

Patiriella regularis - New Zealand Star (CSIRO, 1996)

Habitat: Sheltered rocky shores; mid intertidal to 5 m depth Distribution: Derwent Estuary and D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Tasmania and New Zealand Maximum Size: Arm radius to 35 mm Diet: Algae and microbes on rock surface Comments:  This seastar is dominant in intertidal regions and appears to outcompete other grazing seastars. It is believed to have been introduced into Tasmania from New Zealand with shipments of live oysters early in the twentieth century. Click here to find more Introduced Species

Coscinasterias muricata - Eleven Arm Sea Star Picture: MDC

Habitat: Sheltered reef, silt, sand; 0 - 150 m depth Distribution: WA to Qld and around Tasmania, also New Zealand Maximum Size: Arm radius to 250 mm Diet: Molluscs (e.g. mussels, scallops, oysters), scavenger Comments:  This is the largest and most commonly seen seastar around the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. It is thought to be a keystone species as it can prevent the establishment of mussel and scallop beds. It has rows of large spines surrounded by rings covering the upper surface and usually has eleven arms (can be from seven to fourteen though).

Asterias amurensis - Northern Pacific Sea Star (CSIRO, 1996)

Habitat: Silt, sand; 0 - 35 m depth Distribution: Victoria, Triabunna to Dover, Tasmania. Also Japan, China, Russia and Alaska Maximum Size: Arm radius to 230 mm Diet: Prefers bivalve molluscs and heart urchins but will eat lots of other things! Comments:  This species is thought to have been introduced with ballast water from a ship from Korea or Japan. This species can be confused with the zig zag sea star (Uniophora granifera). It is an active predator and for that reason has had a large impact on other species. At present, the species is largely confined to areas in the Derwent and D'Entrecasteaux. Click here to find more Introduced Species.

Uniophora granifera - Zig Zag Star Picture: MDC

Habitat: Sheltered reef, silt, seagrass; 0 - 30 m depth Distribution: SA to NSW and around Tasmania Maximum Size: Arm radius to 120 mm Diet: Bivalve molluscs Comments:  This species comes in a variety of colours but is distinguished by the zig zag pattern of spines running down each arm.

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