Blue Linckia Starfish

Description:

The first picture was obviously doing a graceful 'rock ala pole dancing' in one of the rocks found below the stilt cottages. You can obviously see the markings at the back of its arms. This one is medium-sized one. The last 2 pictures is just one Blue Linckia which is obviously very large. An arm equals the length of my palm, so it's probably 12-14 inches across. - a species of sea star in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific. The most common color morph found is pure, dark or light blue, although one can find the aqua, purple or orange variation throughout the ocean. These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm in diameter, with rounded tips at each of its arms — some individuals may bear light or darker spots along each of its arms. It is firm in texture, and possessing slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other Ophidiasteridae, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet. An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and found in sparse density throughout its range. They live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata.

Notes:

LOCATION: Nalusuan Island, Cordova, Cebu. This photo was taken by one of my friends.