The Common Starfish or Common Sea Star (Asterias rubens) is the most common and familiar starfish in the north-east Atlantic. It has five arms and usually grows to between 10–30 cm across, although larger specimens (up to 52 cm across) are known. The Common Starfish is usually orange or brown, and sometimes violet; deep-water specimens are pale. The Common Starfish is to be found on rocky and gravelly substrates.

Decoration

In some homes, dried and preserved sea stars can be found. The starfish is popular as a souvenir all around the coast of California, Florida, China, and various islands. This animal can be preserved, much like the sea urchin

Sea urchin

Sea urchins or urchins are small, spiny, globular animals which, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class Echinoidea of the echinoderm phylum. They inhabit all oceans. Their shell, or "test", is round and spiny, typically from across. Common colors include black and dull...

 or the Sand Dollar

Sand dollar

The term Sand dollar refers to species of extremely flattened, burrowing echinoids belonging to the order Clypeasteroida. Some species within the order, not quite as flat, are known as sea biscuits...

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Color

Colors can vary greatly. The most common are orange, red, or yellow, though some can be white, blue, purple or green.

External links

• Basic information
• British Marine Life Society study