Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2272969

Red Cushion Sea Star

Oreaster reticulatus

Also known as West Indian Sea Star, Cushion Sea Star, Bahamian Starfish

Thriving on sunlit Caribbean flats and seagrass beds, these massive echinoderms gather in loose aggregations to graze microbial mats and microfauna. Feeding individuals evert their large cardiac stomachs through the central mouth, spreading tissue over the seabed to liquefy organic film externally before absorption. Juveniles hide among dense mangrove prop roots and turtle grass, migrating to open sandy bottom habitats only as they develop thick, heavily armored calcified ossicles.

MarineInvertebrateReef Dweller
Red Cushion Sea Star reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) James St. John, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Benthic microalgae
  • Encrusting sponges
  • Benthic detritus
Predators
  • Atlantic triton
  • Nurse shark
  • Loggerhead sea turtle
ThreatsOvercollection for the souvenir curio trade, coastal habitat degradation, and poor water quality
HabitatsShallow seagrass beds, sandy lagoons, coral reef fringes, and mangrove shallows
Life span15–30 years
Classification
  1. OrderValvatida
  2. FamilyOreasteridae
  3. GenusOreaster
  4. SpeciesOreaster reticulatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for a thick, pillow-like profile with five stout arms and a striking mesh of raised orange, red, or yellow knobby spines.
Support conservation
Observe and photograph entirely underwater while snorkeling, maintaining respectful clearance without touching or displacing the animal.
Responsible observation
  • Keep Submerged: Never lift sea stars out of the water, as air exposure impairs their delicate respiratory papulae.
  • Hands Off: Avoid flipping or stepping around individuals, which interrupts feeding and damages vulnerable tube feet.
Related species
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