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Common Starfish

HomeMarine InvertebratesCommon Starfish

Common Starfish

Asterias rubens

This classic five-armed starfish uses tube feet to pry open mussels and barnacles, feasting on shellfish along the shore. On Lihou, low spring tides may reveal them clinging to rocks or shells just below the waterline. Their bright hues make them one of the most noticeable echinoderms in local coastal waters.

  • Habitat: Rocky and sandy shores from low intertidal to deeper waters.
  • When to See: Year-round; often in lower shore pools at very low tide.
  • Length: Arm span typically up to 15–30 cm