The Wildlife Trust's North Sea Wildlife Project

Common Sunstar - Crossaster papposus

(Photo credit Kat Sanders)

What is it? The species of starfish with up to 14 arms, more than any other British starfish. It is usually brown, red or purple in colour, with pale bands on the arms. The common sunstar is covered with small spines, and crawls across the seabed using hundreds of tiny tube feet.

How big is it? Typically 25-35 cm in diameter, one of our larger species of starfish. 

What does it eat?  Sunstars are voracious predators and eat a wide variety of animals, including other starfish, brittlestars and sea cucumbers.

Where do they live?  Sunstars live to depths of 50m and mainly on rocky seabeds.  They are found all around the UK, but occur in greater numbers in northern waters.

How can I find them?  Sunstars are occasionally found in rockpools, particulary during spring tides.  They are regulary  seen by divers, especially over rocky reefs.