North Pacific sea-star

A North Pacific sea-star that is orange and brown sits on the bottom of a muddy seafloor
Image: Neville Barrett
Community type

Benthic reefs organisms

Habitat type

Rocky reefs, kelp beds and inter-tidal zone

Juveniles have purple markings on their arms. Females have between 10 to 25 million offspring in their lifetime, and the species is becoming well established in some areas of the Derwent, including rocky reefs, sandy habitat, and rock pools. They live up to depths of 200 metres.

North pacific sea stars are prolific predators of native oysters, mussels and scallops in the Derwent, and threaten hand fish habitat by preying on stalked ascidians. Local efforts of citizens in regular invasive sea star cleanups have helped reduce the population of these pests in the Derwent to an extent, but these starfish continue to be an invasive problem.

Much of the text within the species area of our website was written by Veronica Thorpe, as part of the Derwent River Wildlife Guide (2000).

The DEP has developed a variety of classroom and outdoor activities, including classroom materials, online resources, interpretive walks, games and sensory experience. These are focused around the key estuary habitats.