Carpet sea star

Native to southern Australia the Carpet sea star, Patiriella spp., dwell in rock pools and are very varying as far as colours are concerned. There are four variations of it.

Patiriella calcar

Has eight arms and can be any colour or combination of colours.

Also known as the cushion seastar.
Is found in Australia coastal waters and has well developed arms in comparisson to other Sydney region species. Habitat is rocky intertidal shores up to 3m below sea level.This species is viparious (live birth)
Family: Asterodea
Omnivorous: eating algae, detritus, mussells and other inverterbrates.

Patiriella exigua

Has five arms and is turquoise.

Patiriella brevispina

Has six arms and is purple with orange feet.

Patiriella gunii

Has six arms and can be any colour.