Genus
Common name: Cushion Sea Stars
Scientific name: Oreaster
The genus Oreaster encompasses a group of large, often colorful sea stars found in shallow tropical waters. Notable for their robust, pentagon-shaped bodies and short, thick arms, these sea stars are popular in the reefkeeping hobby for their striking appearance and their role in the clean-up crew, consuming detritus and uneaten food. They are generally hardy but require a spacious tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate to mimic their natural habitat. While they are not aggressive, their size and feeding habits can make them unsuitable for tanks with small, delicate invertebrates or very small fish.