Starfish

Starfish Temporal range: Ordovician–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Fromia monilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Echinodermata
Superclass:	Asterozoa
Class:	Asteroidea De Blainville, 1830
Child taxa and orders
Infraclass Concentricycloidea Peripodida Superorder Forcipulatacea Brisingida Forcipulatida Superorder Spinulosacea Spinulosida Superorder Valvatacea Notomyotida Paxillosida Valvatida Velatida † Calliasterellidae † Trichasteropsida

† Calliasterellidae
† Trichasteropsida

Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or "basket stars". About 1,500 species of starfish occur on the seabed in all the world's oceans, from the tropics to frigid polar waters. They are found from the intertidal zone down to abyssal depths, 6,000 m (20,000 ft) below the surface.

Starfish are marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have a larger number of arms. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates. Many species are brightly coloured in various shades of red or orange, while others are blue, grey or brown. Starfish have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system and a mouth at the centre of the oral or lower surface. They are opportunistic feeders and are mostly predators on benthic invertebrates. Several species have specialized feeding behaviours including eversion of their stomachs and suspension feeding. They have complex life cycles and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Most can regenerate damaged parts or lost arms and they can shed arms as a means of defence. The Asteroidea occupy several significant ecological roles. Starfish, such as the ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) and the reef sea star (Stichaster australis), have become widely known as examples of the keystone species concept in ecology. The tropical crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) is a voracious predator of coral throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the northern Pacific sea star is considered to be one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.