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Brisingida
Many seastars living in the deepest parts of the ocean belong to the order Brisingida. Brisingids have six to 16 arms depending on the species. They are broad and flat discs, with long slender arms used for suspension feeding. These species can be seen in almost any deep part of the ocean, but are most common in areas around New Zealand and the Caribbean. There are about 100 different species of Brisingida.
Forcipulatida
The "common" starfish, most often found living in shallow waters in many of the world's oceans, is a member of the Forcipulatida order. This order has about 300 different species and is distinguishable through its forcipulate pedicellariae, defined in layman's term as "forceps carriers." This characteristic is shared by some members of the Brisingida order, but Forcipulatida have broader arms and thicker body structures when compared to brisingids.
Paxillosida
Members of the Paxillosida order are bottom dwellers. Paxillosida prefer soft ocean beds and usually bury within the muddy and sandy bottom. Adults do not have a anus, and their tubed feet have no sucking capability. There are about 255 species of Paxillosida.
Notomyotida
The Notomyotida order is another group of deep sea-dwelling seastars possessing long and flexible arms. This order has about 75 species and lives in most oceans of the world. Unlike brisingids, members of the Notomyotida order have small discs, with arms that slowly thin out towards its ends. It also eats through suspension feeding, with its digestive system and reproductive system concentrated on its disc.