Crustacean · GBIF taxon 2273754
Purple Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceusAlso known as Ochre Sea Star, Ochre Starfish, Purple Starfish
These robust echinoderms cling tightly to wave-swept rocks along the Pacific coast, displaying striking colors from deep purple to bright orange. As a classic keystone species, they control mussel populations, preventing them from monopolizing the rocky intertidal zone and allowing diverse communities to thrive. During low tide, they endure hours of exposure to air by tightly sealing themselves to the rock face to retain moisture.
Keystone SpeciesIntertidalMarine
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- California Mussels
- Acorn Barnacles
- Limpets
Predators
- Sea Otters
- Gulls
- Large Crabs
ThreatsSea star wasting disease, ocean warming, and coastal pollution
HabitatsRocky intertidal zones, tide pools, and breakwaters
Life spanUp to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsteriidae
- SpeciesPisaster ochraceus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; avoid pulling them off rocks to prevent injury.
Responsible observation
- Look but do not pull: Never pry them off rocks, as this can tear their delicate tube feet and injure them.
- Watch for color morphs: Look for orange, brown, and purple individuals living side-by-side in the same tide pool.
- Observe feeding behavior: Look underneath a slightly raised star to see if its stomach is everted over a mussel.
Primary Prey (c) Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion 
Close Relative Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. / CC BY 2.0 · cc-byClose Relative
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