Common name: Starfish
Asteroidea, commonly known as starfish or sea stars, are a class of echinoderms recognized for their star-shaped body structure. These fascinating marine invertebrates are found in oceans all over the world, from tropical coral reefs to the cold depths of the ocean floor. Starfish are not fish, despite their common name, and they exhibit unique features that make them intriguing additions to marine aquariums.
One of the most distinctive traits of starfish is their radial symmetry, typically having five arms, although some species can have more. They possess a remarkable ability to regenerate lost arms, a process that can take several months, which is an adaptation for survival in the wild. Their skin is often covered with spines or a bumpy texture, which can vary in color and pattern, making them visually appealing to aquarists.
Starfish play a vital role in their natural ecosystem as both predators and scavengers. They feed on a variety of organisms, including mollusks, small fish, and detritus. In the aquarium setting, they require a well-established tank with stable water parameters, as they are sensitive to changes in salinity, temperature, and pH. It's important for hobbyists to ensure that their aquarium can support the dietary and environmental needs of these creatures.
In addition to their ecological role, starfish have a unique water vascular system that aids in locomotion and feeding. This system operates through hydraulic pressure, allowing them to move and manipulate their tube feet. This fascinating mechanism is not only a point of interest for marine biologists but also for hobbyists who enjoy observing the complex behaviors of starfish.
Before adding a starfish to your aquarium, it's essential to research the specific needs of the species you are interested in, as some can grow quite large and may not be suitable for all tank sizes. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid species that might prey on other aquarium inhabitants.
Common name: Crown-of-Thorns StarfishScientific name: Acanthaster planci- Common name: Burton's StarfishScientific name: Aquilonastra burtoni
- Common name: Sand Sifting StarfishScientific name: Archaster angulatus
- Common name: Indo-Pacific Beach StarScientific name: Archaster typicus
Common name: Northern Pacific SeastarScientific name: Asterias amurensis- Common name: Northern Sea StarScientific name: Asterias rubens
- Common name: sheriff-badge sea starScientific name: Asteropsis carinifera
- Common name: Anderson's Sand StarScientific name: Astropecten andersoni
Common name: Red Comb StarfishScientific name: Astropecten aranciacus- Common name: Bispinosus Sand StarScientific name: Astropecten bispinosus
- Common name: Sand Sifting StarfishScientific name: Astropecten jonstoni
- Common name: comb starScientific name: Astropecten polyacanthus
Common name: Sea Sand StarfishScientific name: Astropecten spinulosus- Common name: Red Brittle StarScientific name: Chaetaster longipes
Common name: Granulated Sea StarScientific name: Choriaster granulatus- Common name: white starfishScientific name: Coscinasterias tenuispina
Common name: Pin Cushion StarScientific name: Culcita novaeguineae- Common name: cushion starScientific name: Culcita schmideliana
- Common name: Warty sea starScientific name: Echinaster callosus
Common name: Luzon Sea StarScientific name: Echinaster luzonicus- Common name: Red starfishScientific name: Echinaster sepositus
- Common name: Orange spotted purple sea starScientific name: Fromia elegans
- Common name: Ghardaqa Sea StarScientific name: Fromia ghardaqana
Common name: Indian Sea StarScientific name: Fromia indica- Common name: Red StarfishScientific name: Fromia milleporella
- Common name: Red Tile StarfishScientific name: Fromia monilis
- Common name: Red Sea StarScientific name: Fromia nodosa
- Common name: Red StarfishScientific name: Fromia polypora
- Common name: Egyptian sea starScientific name: Gomophia egyptiaca
- Common name: Egg CowrieScientific name: Gomophia watsoni
- Common name: smooth starfishScientific name: Hacelia attenuata
- Common name: Pacific blood starScientific name: Henricia leviuscula
- Common name: Bloody Henry starfishScientific name: Henricia oculata
Common name: Arctic Cushion StarScientific name: Hippasteria phrygiana- Common name: icon starScientific name: Iconaster longimanus
- Common name: Leather StarScientific name: Leiaster coriaceus
- Common name: velvety sea starScientific name: Leiaster speciosus
- Common name: Blue Linckia StarfishScientific name: Linckia guildingi
Common name: Blue LinckiaScientific name: Linckia laevigata- Common name: Blue Linckia StarfishScientific name: Linckia multifora
- Common name: Seven-armed starfishScientific name: Luidia ciliaris
- Common name: seven armed sea starScientific name: Luidia maculata
- Common name: spiny starfishScientific name: Marthasterias glacialis
- Common name: Bradley's Sea StarScientific name: Mithrodia bradleyi
- Common name: nail sea starScientific name: Mithrodia clavigera
- Common name: Nardoa friantiScientific name: Nardoa frianti
- Common name: Galathea Sea StarScientific name: Nardoa galathea
Common name: Brown Mesh Sea StarScientific name: Nardoa galatheae- Common name: Nardoa StarfishScientific name: Nardoa novaecaledoniae
- Common name: Rose Sea StarScientific name: Nardoa rosea
- Common name: Nardoa TuberculataScientific name: Nardoa tuberculata
- Common name: Blue Sea StarScientific name: Neoferdina cumingi
- Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea StarScientific name: Neoferdina glyptodisca
- Common name: Red Knob Sea StarScientific name: Neoferdina insolita
- Common name: purple seastarScientific name: Ophidiaster ophidianus
- Common name: red cushion sea starScientific name: Oreaster reticulatus
- Common name: Sohal TangScientific name: Paraferdina sohariae
Common name: Bat StarScientific name: Patiria miniata- Common name: Knobby Sea StarScientific name: Pentaceraster mammillatus
- Common name: vermillion seastarScientific name: Pentagonaster duebeni
- Common name: red cushion statScientific name: Porania pulvillus
Common name: Red-knobbed StarfishScientific name: Protoreaster lincki
Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea StarScientific name: Protoreaster nodosus- Common name: Chocolate Chip Sea StarScientific name: Tamaria stria
- Common name: Giant Sea StarScientific name: Thromidia catalai
- Common name: Mottled Sea StarScientific name: Tosia australis