Hobbies And Interests
Indo-Pacific
Starfish are common in this region. Species here include the blue starfish, which can measure up to 12 inches in diameter, and is recognizable thanks to its blue body which is occasionally dotted with purple or red spots. A reef-dwelling creature, the blue starfish can regenerate body parts if needed. The physical appearance of the giant pink seastar is adequately described by its name, with some of these animals stretching to 2 feet in size. This creature lives off the remains of dead fish, as well as sea animals such as barnacles and mussels.
Europe
Species of starfish are found off the coasts of European countries such as Great Britain. The common sun star, for example, is known for its eye-catching markings and thick body, and can be found in rock pools as well as in places of high water movement. This particular starfish will even feed on its own kind. The starfish known as the Bloody Henry is found in the coasts off Great Britain, where it favors powerful currents. This starfish tends to eat plankton unlike other, more cannibalistic, starfish.
North Pacific
The region of the north Pacific is home to the aptly-named northern Pacific seastar, which is colored mostly yellow and lives in shallow waters away from strong currents. It has five arms, each lined with spines. The flatbottom sea star also possesses five arms, which feature eyes that allow it to detect the direction in which light is coming from. These starfish inhabit the ocean floor as well as rock pools, and eat snails and clams.
East Pacific
The waters of the east Pacific contain starfish such as the Pacific blood star, a cream-colored creature which possesses between four and six arms. This small starfish feeds on marine life such as sponges. A particularly large starfish which can measure up to 3 feet in diameter, the crown-of-thorns starfish is unusual among these animals not only for its size, but also for its relatively fast speed and high fertilization rates. A female crown-of-thorns starfish can produce some 60 million eggs during just one spawning season.