Common sunstar

Distribution in scandinavian waters

Maximum length: 34 cm (diametre). Appearance: The colour can vary, but the upper side is usually purple in the middle with paler, usually red banded arms. They have between 8-13 arms, but 10-12 arms are most common. Depth: 10-50 m. Environment: Found usually on hard bottoms and eat other starfish, shellfish, sea-cucumbers and anemones. Misc: In Great Britian, dried and ground sunstars have been used as rat poison. Classification: Sunstars are part of the starfish group under echinodermata (spiny-skinned).

Common sunstar     Other names