Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroida

Order: Spinulosida

Family: Solasteridae

Scientific name: Solaster endeca

 

Norwegian: gul solstjerne

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 29 meters / 1.14.2001)

Distribution: The purple sun star is usually found deeper than 30 meter, but I have observed them on 18 meters in protected parts of the Trondheim fjord.

Characteristics: This is one of the few species with more than 5 arms. It usually has 9, but everything between 7 and 13 arms are normal. It cannot be confused with the other very common sea star with 9 arms, the common sun star. The coloration varies from pale yellow, to bright purple or red. It can grow to a diameter of 40 cm, but 20 cm is a common size.

All pictures: