Cushion sea star
Oreaster reticulatus
Linnaeus, 1758

Description:
This species is well known because of the size. The arms are short, thick. The body is thick and heavy. Short, knobby spines on the surface form a net-like pattern. When young, the color is olive green, later the color changes to brown or orange.
Size: up to 45 cm in diameter.

Habitat:
The species lives on sandy bottoms or in seagrass fields in shallow waters.
Depth: ranges from 2 m down to 12 m.

Distribution:
Occasional to common all over the Caribbean.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Genus Oreaster
Species Oreaster reticulatus

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Cushion sea star [English]
Reticulated sea star [English]
Bahama starfish [English]

Humann, P., 1992. Reef Creature Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

Ummels, F., 1963. Asteroids from the Nrtherlands Antilles and other Caribbean Localities. Studies on the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands, 15.

Voss, G.L., 1976. Seashore life of Florida and the Carribbean. Banyan Books, Inc. Miami, Florida.

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