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Pisaster brevispinus (Giant pink seastar)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
The
common name for this seastar gives a good description of it as it
is both large and pink. It can reach a diameter in excess
of 2 feet and has a soft, flabby texture. P. brevispinus
is usually found on sand or mud substrate where it pursues
its prey items, clams or sand dollars. Smaller individuals
are sometimes seen on rocks or pilings where they prey on mussels,
barnacles, and tubeworms. This species is also known to scavenge
on dead fish and squid. The giant pink seastar does not tolerate
being out of water very well so is generally found on the beach
only during very low tides. It lives subtidally to a depth
of 600 feet. Another common name for this species is short-spined
seastar.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 12/7/05.
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