Vermilion star

Biology

The vermilion star is found on many beaches at very low tides, but also inhabits depths of up to 500 metres. Juveniles often congregate among polychaetes (annelid worms). It feeds on sponges, algae, detritus, and even scavenges dead animals.

Curiosities

This is one of the smallest sea stars, reaching 20 centimetres in diameter, and it can move up to 40 centimetres per minute, which is quite fast for a sea star.