Granulated Sea Star

Choriaster granulatus is a species of starfish. It is the only species in the genus Choriaster.

Description

Choriaster granulatus is a large seastar, and is easily identified by its five distinctive large, short, thick conical arms. It is usually pale pink in colour, has small, brown papillae in clusters located in the central part of its body. This species grows to a maximum radius of approximately 27 cm.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific region from Red Sea and East Africa to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji and Great Barrier Reef.

Habitat

Choriaster granulatus lives in shallow waters at depths of up to 40 metres, and is found on rubble slopes, coral reefs, in the reef front, back reef, the external reef, and frequently in locations with rubble and detritus.

Behaviour and diet

This starfish feeds on algae, detritus, and dead animals. One of its predators is the sea snail Triton's trumpet (Charonia tritonis). It also eats various small invertebrates and coral polyps.