Starfish

[Garrobo]

On another thread one of the posters mentioned starfish. Most of my diving has been in Southeastern Florida, the Keys and Cozumel. I don't remember seeing any starfish. Is it that I haven't been observant enough or are there no starfish around these reefs?

 

[Garrobo]

Helloooooo......???

 

[AbyssalPlains]

You know what? Now that you bring it up..... I haven't either....

 

[archman]

Outside of Oreaster, there really aren't any Caribbean starfish that make themselves very accessible to viewing. Most species will hide in cracks or bury in sand... they tend to be negatively phototactic like brittle stars.

And Oreaster prefers seagrass beds.

 

[Prostar]

Come on out to the PNW. Hood canal has them in bunches. You can wade out and see starfish as big as a dinner plate in three feet of water.

 

[Lehmann108]

I've never seen any starfish on or around reefs in South East Florida, however in protected waters such as Blue Heron Bridge, the place is teeming with starfish.

 

[archman]

I've never seen any starfish on or around reefs in South East Florida, however in protected waters such as Blue Heron Bridge, the place is teeming with starfish.

I am intensely curious as to what kind they are. If they aren't Oreasters, can you describe in detail the habitat type (sand, rubble, seagrass, etc...)?

 

[KazooDiver]

There are a number of starfish that are very light shy...you will have a better chance of seeing some if you dive at night.
I know when I had my reef aquarium the starfish were more active at night, during the day they tended to hide and be very inactive.

 

[ScubaGir1]

When I was in Cozumel I saw about 3-4 knobby sea stars (pretty good sized too). But I've definitely seen more off the coast of California!

 

[Don Wray]

I saw quite a few on the Mindinow off New Smyrna Beach. I'm looking for the photos I took of them.