Starfish (Leiaster spp.)

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  Hix

• 27 Jul 2012

Alofi Wharf Night Dive
July 2012

 

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  Chlidonias

• 27 Jul 2012

they are starfish arms (you can see the feet on the upper one). Might be a type of Linckia?

 

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  Hix

• 28 Jul 2012

OK then, second starfish I've seen in Niue. Very few and far between.

On my way home so I'll check my books later today and see what I can find.

 

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  Hix

• 31 Jul 2012

Hmmm, I think more likely a species of Leiaster, as Linckia aren't usually red.

I've finally changed the title, it was annoying me. 'Starfish arms' sounds like a British Pub.

 

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  Chlidonias

• 31 Jul 2012

I've only ever seen blue Linckia myself but they do appear in red, purple etc (I believe there's some taxonomic debate as to whether these are separate species or just colour variations); Linckia are pretty common in the tropical Pacific so that's what I guessed at.

Leiaster is more likely though (now that I've googled it )
[Species list here if you want to google through them: The World Asteroidea Database - Leiaster Peters, 1852

 

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  Hix

• 1 Aug 2012

After checking my books, and also that Database, I concluded it was Leiaster, (probably speciosus) although I could'nt find a definite range for the species - everyone just said "Western Pacific".

 

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  Ebirah766

• 17 Dec 2018

... How is this a starfish?

 

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  birdsandbats

• 17 Dec 2018

@Ebirah766 How is it not?

 

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  Ebirah766

• 17 Dec 2018

@birdsandbats

Wait, I see it now. : P

 

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  Kakapo

• 17 Dec 2018

Actually this is not a starfish... but two starfishes. The red arms of the Leiaster and the quarter of a cushion star (Culcita sp) occupying the upper left corner of the photo)