The common starfish, common sea star or sugar starfish (Asterias rubens) is the most common and familiar starfish in the north-east Atlantic. Belonging to the family Asteriidae, it has five arms and usually grows to between 10–30 cm across, although larger specimens (up to 52 cm across) are known. The common starfish is usually orange or brownish in color, and sometimes violet; specimens found in deeper waters are pale. The common starfish is found on rocky and gravelly substrates where it feeds on mollusks and other benthic invertebrates.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Common Sea Star being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Asterias forbesi
- Asterias amurensis
- Leptasterias muelleri
- Leptasterias polaris
- Allostichaster insignis
- Cosmasterias lurida
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Echinodermata
- Class
- Asteroidea
- Order
- Forcipulatida
- Family
- Asteriidae
- Genus
- Asterias
- Species
- Asterias rubens
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