General Description

Arms typically 11, frequently of different lengths. Body pattern mottled with combinations of blue, brown, grey, green, cream, orange, red, mauve, white. Centre to arm tip up to 25 cm.

Biology

This is one of the largest seastars in Victorian waters. It has fissiparous reproduction where the animal divides in two to create new individuals. Its arms are usually of different lengths because of regeneration due to lost or damaged arms. Eleven-armed Seastars feed on most animal matter, especially molluscs such as mussels.

Distribution

Southern Australian coasts.

Habitat

Rock and sandy areas, under rocks and in the open, to a depth of 150 m.

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