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Iconaster longimanus
Classic pentagon-shaped sea star, but with long, slender "fingers" extending from each point, covered in a mosaic pattern. Ocher in color, with the center in red, overlaid with a light-blue pattern of dotted lines. Also known as Icon Starfish, Double Sea Star, Double Starfish, Long-arm Sea Star, Long-arm Starfish, Mosaic Sea Star and Mosaic Starfish. They feed on molluscs, worms and detritus, and grow to a length of about 12cm.
Found singly or in groups on sand and rocky reefs on lower slopes, usually in deeper waters than most sea stars (up to 200m). Widespread in the West Pacific.
8 Comments
Art does imitate nature!
This is amazing! Not even made on purpose, looks like a painting.
Very well put, Nicholas! And thanks for the link. :)
Another mind-boggling spotting my good friend!
Unbelievably precious and so vivid!
It is reminiscent of tile floors from yesteryear.. like Roman times...
check this site as a reference..
http://www.alamaras.gr/index.php/product...
@whatsthatfish - Hey, nice to see you on Project Noah! Thanks for the ID! But, I can't seem to find this sea star entry on WhatsThatFish.com...
Thanks guys! It was my first time to see that sea star too.
Beautiful!
wow, what a spectular sea star!