Fish Eating Star

[Tom Nic]

Yesterday while diving Sund Rock I came across a star that I had never seen! According to Gotshall it is a Fish Eating Star, Stylasterias forreri (Andy Lamb has it as a "Velcro Star"). Very cool! Another first timer for me.

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Gotshall says that the "pedicellariae" (sticky burr-looking-thingies on it's arms) are used to capture small fishes such as sculpins. Lamb says that they can even stick to a neoprene dive suit. Fun! Here's a bit closer view.

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