# Starfish (*unclassified Asterina (in: starfish)*) Starfish are fascinating creatures that live in the ocean. They have five arms and come in many colors like orange, red, and blue. Starfish can regenerate lost arms if they get hurt. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Starfish](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426837/objects/6436.jpg) ## Appearance The Starfish has a central disc with five (or more!) radial arms, giving it a distinct star shape. Its skin can be spiny or smooth, often in vibrant colours like orange, red, blue, or purple, making it stand out from plain rocks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Echinodermata - **Class:** Asteroidea - **Order:** Valvatida - **Family:** Asterinidae - **Genus:** Asterina ## Interesting facts - Certain deep-sea starfish can glow in the dark, creating their own light! - Some starfish, like the Crown-of-Thorns, have venomous spines that sting. - Starfish aren't fish at all; they are echinoderms, related to sea urchins! - They don't have a brain or blood, but use seawater for circulation and movement! ## Special abilities - **Regenerating Limbs:** Starfish can regrow lost arms, and sometimes even an entire new body from a single arm, helping them survive attacks. - **Stomach Extrusion:** Starfish can push their stomach out of their body to digest prey externally, allowing them to eat larger food. - **Tube Feet Grip:** Starfish have hundreds of tiny tube feet with suckers that help them move slowly and cling firmly to rocky surfaces. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 15 cm - **Weight:** 75 g - **Lifespan:** 8 years - **Speed Cm Per:** 12+ ## Diet & Feeding Starfish are mostly predators, eating shellfish and other small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** clams, mussels, oysters, snails, barnacles, sea anemones - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Mussel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-mussel) (*Mytilus edulis*) — Common food for many starfish species. - **Eats:** [Sea Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-otter) (*Enhydra lutris*) — Sea otters prey on certain starfish species. - **Eaten by:** Staghorn Coral (*Acropora cervicornis*) — Crown-of-thorns starfish can decimate coral reefs. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you find a starfish on the beach, gently observe without touching or taking it out of the water. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Starfish? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Starfish? 15 cm ### How much does Starfish weigh? 75 g ### How long does Starfish live? 8 years ### What does Starfish eat? Starfish are mostly predators, eating shellfish and other small invertebrates. ### Where is Starfish usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Starfish hunt? Foraging ### How fast can Starfish move? 12+ ## Where to spot - [London Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/london-aquarium) — England, GB · Aquarium - [Birch Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birch-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Starfish: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/starfish)