Stichastrella rosea (O F Müller, 1776)

Stichastrella rosea

Description: This starfish has five long stiff tapering arms with a regular linear pattern of rounded plates on the dorsal surface. It is orange in colour, sometimes brighter, sometimes more yellow. Up to 15cm across.

Habitat: An uncommon species, may be found in rocky exposed or moderately exposed sites, mostly below 30m depth. On the west coast of Ireland it is most common on limestone seabeds.

Distribution: Apparently a northern species in the British Isles, occurring on the Atlantic coasts but rarely recorded from the south coast of England.

Similar Species: Henricia oculata can occur in a similar colour form but has a more sandpaper like, spiny texture.

Key Identification Features:

• Reticulate plated appearance to arms.
• Yellow to orange-red plain coloration.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Stichastrella rosea (O F Müller, 1776). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZB1840 Accessed on 2025-01-22

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