Astrostole scabra

Astrostole scabra, commonly called the seven-armed starfish, is a sea star in the family Asteriidae, native to New Zealand and also found in eastern and southern Australia.

This frequent inhabitant of the intertidal zone is one of the largest sea-stars found in New Zealand. Colour varies from orange through dark red to brown, or light blue to grey. The fleshy dorsal surface is covered in short white spines, these can appear blue in juveniles. A predatory species, A. scabra often prays on bivalves, such as mussels, forcing the shells open by applying pressure for long periods with the tube feet. Often attached to wharf piles and other man-made structures.