Members of Echinodermata

(Common names)

Members of Echinodermata

(Scientific terms)

Ophiuroidea

Pisaster ochraceus

Common star, ochre sea star

to 50 cm across

c. Alaska to n. Mexico

Often forms huge winter spawning aggregations, abundant on rocky shores in middle to lower intertidal.

Feeds on mussels, barnacles, limpets and snails

Pisaster brevispinus

Giant Pink Star, Spiny Pink Star

to 65cm across

s. Alaska to s. California

intertidal to 182 m

Specimens that 'belly down' in the mud/sand are using their extendable tube feet near their mouth to dig clams. Feeds mostly on clams and sand dollars. Lives on sandy or muddy substrates.

Evasterias troschelii

Mottled sea star, False ochre star

to 60 cm across

Siberia, n. Alaska to c. California

Intertidal to 75 m

A stiff species with proportionally long rays. Many colour variants, feeds primarily on mussels and barnacles. On rocks and cobbles (occasionally sand )

Orthasterias koehleri

Rainbow star, Painted star

to 60 cm across

n. Alaska to n. Mexico

Intertidal to 283 m

Rows of prominent spines and flexible body. Found on mud sand, kelp, and in the very low intertidal on shaded rock surfaces. Feeds on small snails, limpets, clams, scallops, chiton, barnacles, and tunicates.

Stylasterias forreri

Velcro Star, Fish eating star

to 67 cm across

c. Alaska to s. California

subtidal 6 - 545 m

This long-rayed delicate star readily discards arms when stressed. Prey include snails and chitons. It is rather uncommon. Has many pedicellaria around each spine which can be used to capture fish (or divers). They can have up to 50 000 pedicellaria. Fights back with pedicellaria while fleeing if attacked by the Morning sun star. Uncommon. Found living on rocky and shell-gravel substrate.

Dermasterias imbricata

Leather star

to 30 cm across

c. Alaska to n. Mexico

Intertidal to 91 m

Smooth to the touch star with garlicky odour. Often causes the swimming anemone to swim. May have 6 or even 7 arms. Mostly on rocks, but may be found on sand or mud. Eats diatoms, sponges, bryozoans, sea pens, anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and chitons, ascidians, and fish eggs. Swallows prey whole and ingests internally.

Asterina miniata

Bat star

to 25 cm across

s. Alaska to n. Mexico

Intertidal to 300 m

An omnivore and scavenger, feeds mainly on surfgrass.  Diet also includes echinoids, algae, sponges, bryozoans, and colonial tunicates, plus organic films on rocks.  It cannot open clams. found only along exposed shores. Protrudes stomach outside its body to feed.

Mediaster aequalis

Vermilion star

to 20 cm across

n. Alaska to n. Mexico

Intertidal to 500 m

An omnivorous predator.  Prey include sponges, bryozoans, sea pens, tunicates such as Aplidium californicum and Corella spp., algae, and detritus.  Predators include the seastar Solaster dawsoni.  Moves fairly fast for a seastar, up to 40 cm/minute. Habitat varies; especially on rocky surfaces.

Gephyreaster swifti

Gunpowder star

to 42 cm

n. Alaska to Washington

Subtidal 4 - 350 m

Appears to be a paler, larger and puffier version of the vermilion star. Feeds on anemones, particularly the short plumouse anemone and the spotted swimming anemone. Found in rocky or sandy surroundings.