Looking just like a glowing underwater sun, the common sunstar is one of our most eye-catching starfish. With 10–12 short arms radiating out like sunbeams — and sometimes even more — it certainly stands out from other starfish you might spot along the shore. Its central disc is usually a rich orangey-red, decorated with beautiful concentric bands of yellow, pink, red or white along its arms.
This striking species can grow up to 35cm across and is found all around our coasts. It lives on the seabed from shallow waters near the shore down to depths of around 50 metres. Smaller individuals are sometimes discovered in rockpools, so keep a careful lookout on your next beach visit! Like all echinoderms — meaning “spiny skinned” — the sunstar is covered in tiny spines.
Despite its bright and cheerful appearance, the common sunstar is a powerful predator. It feeds on sea cucumbers, brittle stars, other starfish and even fellow sunstars. Found year-round and currently common in our waters, this bold and beautiful species is a true star of the seabed. - even eating anemones.
Starfish can regrow their limbs and use water as a circulatory liquid.
