Astropecten polyacanthus Muller & Troschel 1842

comb seastar

The Comb Seastar, Astropecten polyacanthus, is usually a purplish brown colour on top and orange underneath. As it species name suggests it has many thorns.

Astropecten polyacanthus can burrow into sandy bottoms. Rather than suckers it has pointed tube feet which are advantageous for digging.

Comb Seastars are unusually agile and turn themselves over very quickly.

Astropecten polyacanthus prey on gastropods and bivalves which are swallowed whole. They may also ingest stones and consume the oranisms which live on them.