Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroida

Order: Valvatida

Family: Goniasteridae

Scientific name: Ceramaster granularis

 

Norwegian: sjøkjeks

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 18 meters / 6.06.2004)

Distribution: This is a common star fish along the Norwegian coast. It thrives in most habitats between 20 and 1400 meters.

Characteristics: It has five short arms and a large central disk. It should not be possible to confuse it with any other sea star in Norwegian waters. It lacks the short spines of the rigid cushion star. The color is red or orange. It can grow to a diameter of 8 cm. The cushion star is a hermaphrodite but does not self-fertilize. Eggs are laid on the ground where they develop into larvae and eventually hatch as small sea stars.

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