Kingdom Animalia Order Valvatida Genus Protoreaster Higher classification Protoreaster | Phylum Echinodermata Family Oreasteridae Scientific name Protoreaster linckii Rank Species | |
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Similar Starfish, Protoreaster, Giant bronze gecko, Seychelles bronze gecko, Ailuronyx | ||
Protoreaster linckii, the red knob sea star, red spine star, African sea star, or the African red knob sea star, is a species of starfish from the Indo-Pacific.
Contents
Description
P. linckii grows to a maximum diameter of 12 in (30 cm). It has numerous tubercles located along its five arms. These tubercles are bright red and extend upward from the arms. It has a gray body with red stripes that connect the tubercles. This creates an appearance of a grid made of interconnecting wires.
The skeleton is composed of many calcareous ossicles and spicules. They are located inside the layer of connective tissue. This skeleton supports the large central disk.
It is distributed in the western Indo-Pacific in locations ranging from shallow tidal pools to reefs up to 100 m (330 ft) deep.
Behaviour and diet
P. linckii is active in the daytime. It is a popular aquarium specimen, but is considered incompatible with many other invertebrates, as it will eat soft corals, sponges, tube worms, clams, other starfish, and alike.
It is also a heavily fished species for curios trade.