Mediterranean red sea star

Scientific name : Echinaster sepositus

Family : Echinoderms (sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers…)
Size : Up to 20 cm
Distribution : Very common in the Mediterranean Sea, rarer in the Atlantic

Biology : Unlike other starfish, this species is not a relentless hunter, it simply feeds on the veil of micro-organisms that develop on the seabed. This species has suffered from overfishing. They are sometimes sold dried as trinkets.

IUCN status : Not assessed