Cushion star

Culcita novaeguineae · The cushion star is a pentagonal, pincushion-shaped starfish that lives in the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.

Also called Pillow Cushion Star.

Cushion star
Photo: Joi Ito, CC BY 2.0
Cushion star
Photo: Paul Kli, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cushion star
Photo: Ed Bierman from CA, usa, CC BY 2.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumEchinodermata
ClassAsteroidea
OrderValvatida
FamilyOreasteridae
GenusCulcita
SpeciesCulcita novaeguineae

Where it lives

Indo-Pacific reefs from Madagascar and the Seychelles to the Philippines, Australia and Hawaii.

Fun facts

  • The cushion star can grow up to 30 cm (about 12 inches) across.
  • Juveniles look completely different from adults, starting out star-shaped with five short, broad arms.
  • Its body cavity is actually filled with water.
  • It eats detritus, small invertebrates, and even stony corals.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).