Genus
Common name: Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Scientific name: Acanthaster
Acanthaster is a genus of starfish commonly known as the Crown-of-Thorns starfish, named for their venomous spines resembling a biblical crown of thorns. These starfish are notorious for their impact on coral reefs, as they are voracious predators of coral polyps. While they play a natural role in the ecosystem, outbreaks can cause significant damage to reefs. In the aquarium trade, they are generally not recommended due to their destructive feeding habits and potential to harm the aquarist with their venomous spines.
