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Project Noah Nature School
Acanthaster planci
Did a lot of dives in Thailand, but only saw this one once.
These can be quite variable in size and color according to the habitat- those by Thailand range purple/blue/rose. The thorns are poisonous causing skin rashes if handled. This species feeds on corals, causing reef damage when invasive, but is still a necessary part of the cycle of a healthy reef when native.
Spotted on Dec 25, 2011
Submitted on Jun 16, 2012
