Vardhan Patankar
( Fromia hemiopla )
You can find them resting along coral reefs and rocky areas.
The armoured sea star can be found in warm shallow waters, they grow up to a max size of about 7 cm. They are bright red in colour and have small black spots scattered around their whole body. Moreover, they also have a texture of little granules or circled shaped across their arms.
They feed on small invertebrates and detritus.
Vardhan Patankar
( Linckia laevigata )
Found in coral reefs and sea grass beds.
Growing up to about 30 cm in diameter , these species can be found in completely blue and a complete pink colour. They have short yellowish tubed feet and are commonly spotted by divers. The blue sea star has been a victim of sea star trade, where the species is dried and then sold as a decoration, which has caused their population to fall in some areas in the world. This species is known to exhibit 'autotomy' which is the process in which the sea star sheds on of its arms and this shedded arm grows into a new individual!
They like the rest of the sea stars are opportunistic feeders, feeding on what they can get which includes detritus and small invertebrates.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Echinaster luzonicus )
Inhabits coral reefs and intertidal zones at depths between 2-15m.
Normally having up to six arms, the Luzon sea star is a species of starfish that is known for its ability to shed its arms which then regenerate into new individuals. In regards to their colour, they are quite variable but most commonly range between red to dark brown. They are also known to have some species that reside on their bodies through a mutually benefitting relationship such as some copepods and comb jellies.
They are known to mainly feed on bacteria and algae that it extracts from the sediment.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Fromia monilis )
You can find in shallow waters in rocky, coral reef areas at a maximum depth of 51 m.
The pepper mint sea star can reach up to about 30 cm in diameter. The tips of the arms of these starfish are bright red in colour while the remaining parts of their arms form yellowish-white plates with a red centre.
They are known to feed on sponges, detritus and small invertebrates.
Phalguni Ranjan
Joydeep Sarkar
( Acanthaster planci )
Found on coral reefs at an average depth of 10m.
This species of sea stars are called the crown of thorns due to their large venomous spines that protrude from their arms. They bear between 8-21 arms depending on their age that are connected to a central disc, their colours can range from orange to purple. Due to thier long venomous spines they do not have many predators, therefore when their population can rise to high levels they can cause a decrease in coral and reef developement.
These species of starfish are carnivourous and almost exclusively feed on corals, hence they can be an invasive species if they are let to over populate a reef.
Vardhan Patankar
( Fromia indica )
You can find these species in warm shallow coastal waters ranging from 2-10 m.
Reaching a diameter of about 7.5-1 0cm the Indian sea star is bright red and has the tips of it's arms coloured black. Another distinctive feature of this species are the interlinked black lines that are visible on the body of the sea star.
These species is known to feed on dead organic matter in the ocean sediment and other small invertebrates found along coral reefs.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Linckia multifora )
Found in shallow tropical waters around reefs and rocky surfaces of about 50 m deep.
Found in varying colours of brown, pink, grey or red the multipore sea star is a relatively small species of sea star growing up to about 5-13 cm in length. They have small thin arms that stretch from the central part of the starfish called a 'disc'. They are known to have a rough texture and can be found in and around coral reefs.
They feed on small invertebrates and detritus.
( Ophiochasma dentata )
The toothed brittle star can be found on substrate in shallow waters, usually under shells rocks or lodged in the sand itself.
They have a dark colour disk in the middle ranging from colors like black, or dark brown. They are referred to as "toothed" because of the spines on their arms that resemble small teeth.
Brittle stars have a varying diet of eating what they can find, such as dead animal matter, algae and other small animals.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Choriaster granulatus )
Prefers shallow waters between 2 to 50 m in coral reefs around sandy areas. Often seen also resting on sponges or corals.
Displaying five short arms with rounded tips along with a chubby appearance these are a truly exceptional species. The granulated sea star is quite large in comparison with others of its kind spreading to a radius of about 27 cm. Frequently spotted in the colours of pink with patches of brown originating from the center, they can also be found in yellow and red.
Feed by extending their stomach out of its mouth onto small invertebrates, coral polyps as well as dead organisms.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Protoreaster nodosus )
Prefers sandy and sheltered areas and along seagrass beds. They are also spotted in intertidal areas as well between 0-37 m.
With their presence often viewed as a good indicator of monitoring the health of a coral reef, the horned sea star is referred to as so because of their rows of spines or 'horns' radiating from the center. These horns serve as a warning to predators by giving the impression of being dangerous. In reference to their size and appearace, they can reach a diameter of 30 cm and are coloured red, brown or light grey. The surface of the horned sea star also house some species of shrimp, brittle stars and fish.
Feed on algae and seagrass.