General view of rounded rocky surface, with very colorful organisms. Large 4-leg sea star in foreground. Some small globular sponges, portion of larger white
These nickel-sized seastars hide beneath rocks during the day and forage at night for small invertebrates such as the margin snail Granulina. Females brood dozens of externally fertilizated eggs beneath their tube feet. Development is direct.
This closeup of a juvenile Pisaster was taken to show details of the seastar's dorsal surface. Blue rings surround pink spines, and tiny yellow pincers, pedicellariae, encircle the rings. Skin gills protrude from dark recesses.
