Stylasterias forreri

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Fish-eating Star:
Fish-eating Star (Stylasterias forreri): This is a subtidal species, which is unlikely to be found by beachcombers. It looks a lot like a cross between Mottled star (Evasterias troscheli), with which it can share color, and Rainbow star (Orthasterias koehleri), which has similar spines. Essentially, a black or brown starfish with prominent white spines is going to be this species. There is another subtidal species in our region which looks like this one, Lethasterias nanimensis, but it has black-tipped spines. In white specimens where the color isn't helpful for distinguishing between this species and Rainbow star (Orthasterias koehleri), look at the pedicellariae (the little "grabber pincers" around the base of the dorsal spines). Those of Orthasterias koehleri are straight like pliers, whereas those of Stylasterias forreri are crooked like mandibles. This is so that this starfish can capture the occasional sculpin or other small fish that may be foolish enough to try and settle onto its back, which is a secondary feeding method for this primarily snail-eating predator.






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