Species · GBIF taxon 5187508
Northern Pacific Sea Star
Asterias amurensisAlso known as Japanese Common Starfish, Amur Starfish, Purple-Orange Seastar, Flat-Spined Seastar
Northern Pacific sea stars are highly adaptable marine predators distinguished by their five long, pointed arms with distinctive upturned tips. They thrive in shallow coastal waters, mudflats, and estuaries, using hundreds of tiny tube feet to pry open large bivalve molluscs. While native to the cold waters of the North Pacific, they have become highly destructive invasive pests in southern Australia, decimating local marine ecosystems and commercial shellfish farms.
MarineInvasivePredatory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mussels
- Clams
- Oysters
Predators
- Sun stars
- King crabs
- Sea otters
ThreatsWater pollution and coastal development in native range; targeted eradication in invasive range
HabitatsEstuaries, shallow rocky reefs, sandy bays, and mudflats
Life spanUp to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsteriidae
- SpeciesAsterias amurensis
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.
Responsible observation
- Observe in tidepools: Look for them clinging to rocks or half-buried in sand during low tide.
- Handle with care: Avoid pulling them forcefully from rocks, which can tear their delicate tube feet.
- Report invasive sightings: Document any individuals found in southern Australian waters to local biosecurity.
Competitor no rights reserved · cc0
Predator 
Close Relative (c) Bernard Picton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bernard Picton · cc-by
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