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Dangerous marine animals
of
Northern Australia
Crown-of-thorns
Starfish
Species -Acanthaster
Distribution
This starfish is known to occur throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea, and the shores of East Africa through Micronesia, the South Pacific and to Panama and the Gulf of California. It has been found as far north as mainland Japan and as far south as Lord Howe Island and the Solitary Islands (off Coffs Harbour on the central coast of New South Wales). However, it is not found on coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Crown-of-thorns Starfish
on the Great Barrier Reef
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Description
Starfish belong to a group of animals called echinoderms which includes sea cucumbers, brittle stars, feather stars and sea urchins. These animals are found only in the sea. As their common name implies, starfish have a roughly star shaped body; that is, their body comprises arms or rays which project out from a central disc. The mouth is located in the centre of the underside of the disc.
Habitat
The crown-of-thorns starfish prefers to live in more sheltered areas such as lagoons, and in deeper water along reef fronts. They generally avoid shallow water on the tops of reefs where the water conditions are likely to be more turbulent. Occasionally they may feed in these areas, particularly when the weather is calm.
For
more in-depth information about COTS
 Crown-of-thorns
starfish index
First-aid
information
 Marine-medic
- compiled by Dr Peter Fenner, current Honorary National Medical
Officer for Surf Life Saving Australia.
References
Dangerous Marine
Animals of the Indo-Pacific Region, (Diving
Centre Monograph on identification first aid and
medical treatment) 2nd reprint, Wedneil
Publications (Newport, 1978), Dr. Carl Edmonds.
Crown-of-thorns
starfish Q&A, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Dr.
Peter Moran.
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Last updated - March 18, 2004
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