Sea stars

Another photo of the cushion sea star (Oreaster reticulatus) scooting along in about a foot of water near Munyon Island in the Lake Worth Lagoon estuary. The lighter colored round feature at lower center is called a madreporite. It acts like a pressure equalizing valve and filters seawater into the sea star's water vascular system. These beauties are protected under Florida law. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madreporite

Sea Stars in the sand. Monterey Bay California U.S.A. Hopkins Point. Dive time 30 min max depth 60 Ft. Visibility ~ 20 ft. Nikonos V, U.W. Nikkor 20mm F 2.8 Fujichrome Velvia 50.

Sea stars from the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (13x19 in poster).

Starfish, or sea stars, are not actually fish. They are unique marine creatures that can grow up to 40 arms.

Photo by Mohamed Ahsan