Warty Sea Star
Echinaster callosus
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Echinodermata
- Class
- Asteroidea
- Order
- Spinulosida
- Family
- Echinasteridae
- Genus
- Echinaster
- Species
- Echinaster callosus
The warty sea star (Echinaster callosus) is a striking sea star with pink, red or orange arms covered in rounded, wart-like bumps, often in a contrasting pale or white colour.
It grows to about 20 cm across and moves slowly over the reef, feeding on sponges, algae and organic film. Its bright colours may warn predators that it is distasteful.
The warty sea star is found in the western Pacific, including the Philippines, where it is an uncommon and eye-catching find on reefs and rubble slopes. It is a relative of the Luzon sea star.