Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on prey

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthasther planci) on recently consumed
Acropora selago coral prey at Cemetary Reef, Koror, Republic of Palau.

PalauPalauMarinePalauUnderwaterUnderwaterPalauAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSCemetary Reef snorkeling siteClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataInvertebrateOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass Asterozoabiologicalechinodermlivingorganismsea starstarfishunderwaterwww.salmonography.com

Resting Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting on the side wall of a submerged tuff pinacle off Niihau, Hawaii.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandNiihauNiihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataspringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVertical Awareness dive sitebiologicalechinodermlivingorganismsea starstarfishunderwater

Resting Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting on a submerged tuff pinacle off Niihau, Hawaii.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandNiihauNiihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataPu'u Mu dive sitespringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited Statesbiologicalechinodermlivingorganismsea starstarfishunderwater

Resting Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting on a submerged tuff pinacle off Niihau, Hawaii. This species could be referred to as the "Jaws" of the invertebrate world (theme from the movie playing) because when population outbreaks occur it is a bit infamous for decimating corals and thus coral reefs requiring a decade or so to recover.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandNiihauNiihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataPyramid Point dive siteRS2035mmspringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited Statesbiologicalechinodermlivingorganismsea starstarfishunderwater

Resting Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting on the vertical wall of a submerged tuff pinicle off Niihau, Hawaii.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandNiihauNiihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataRS2035mmspringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVertical Awareness dive sitebiologicalechinodermlivingorganismsea starstarfishunderwater

Predation on coral

Predation on coral by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation on coral

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation on coral

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation on coral

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation on coral

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Predation on coral

Predation on Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) by Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in progress on the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.

formally Pocillopora eydouxiAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaAntler CoralBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking a Porites

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking a Porites coral species off the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCroCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPorites sp.PoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratedangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking a Porites

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking a Porites coral species off the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCroCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteLobe CoralOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPorites lobataPorites sp.PoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratedangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking a Porites

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking a Porites coral species off the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCroCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteLobe CoralOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPorites lobataPorites sp.PoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratedangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking a Porites

A Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking a Porites coral species off the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalAnthozoaBiologyCOTSClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCroCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHoover'sInvertebrateKona coast dive siteLobe CoralOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPorites lobataPorites sp.PoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousZoanthariabiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratedangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish new arm

Close-up of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) growing a new arm (right side). This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

BiologyDangerous marine animalEcologyKona coast dive sitePyramid PinnacleSeacam underwater housingVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioustoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish new arm

Close-up of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) growing a new arm (left side). This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

BiologyDangerous marine animalEcologyKona coast dive sitePyramid PinnacleSeacam underwater housingVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmortalnaturalworldorganismpernicioustoxicunderwatervenomous invertebratewinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish new arm

Close-up of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) growing a new arm (left side over Rice Coral). This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyinvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPyramid PinnacleSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousaquaticbiologicalbiospherebrightcnidariancoelenteratecolorcolorfulcoraldangerousdeadlydeepdetrimentaldivedivingechinodermexoticfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarinemarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureoceanorganismperniciouspolypreefsaltwaterscubaseasea starstarfishtoxictropicalunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewaterwildwinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish new arm

Close-up of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) growing a new arm (center over a Porites sp.). This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGolden ArchesinvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPyramid PinnacleSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousaquaticbiologicalbiospherebrightcnidariancoelenteratecolorcolorfulcoraldangerousdeadlydeepdetrimentaldivedivingechinodermexoticfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarinemarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureoceanorganismperniciouspolypreefsaltwaterscubaseasea starstarfishtoxictropicalunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewaterwildwinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Close up of a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) that was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA. The Crown-of-Thorns is notorious for eating corals.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGolden ArchesinvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousaquaticbiologicalbiospherebrightcnidariancoelenteratecolorfulcoraldangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermexoticfatalfestivalharmfulholidayin situlethallivingmarinemortalnaturalworldoceanorganismperniciouspolypreefsaltwaterseasea starsharpstarfishtoxictropicalunderwatervenomous invertebratewaterwinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish in black and white

Black and white image of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) that was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSouth Kona dive site The DomeSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewildwinter

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish in black and white

Black and white image of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) that was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSouth Kona dive site The DomeSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewildwinter

Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns (Acanthaster planci) Starfish spread out on live rock at Ni'ihau Island, near Kauai, Hawaii, USA during the spring.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologycotsClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiInvertebrateKauai IslandNi'ihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Sea Star

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting near the entrance to a lava tube off the Kona coast, The Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBig IslandBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaThe Big IslandUnited StatesVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) photographed while scuba diving the Kona Coast, The Big Island, Hawaii, USA.) photographed while scuba diving the Kona Coast, The Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBig IslandBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaThe Big IslandUnited StatesVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown of Thorns close-up

A close up view of a Crown of Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) showing pedicellaria, which was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island during the spring.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSCaliforniaClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDisneylandEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateOrder ValvatidaPacificstock RFPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited Statesbiologicalbiosphereechinodermin situlivingmarine lifenaturalworldnatureorganismsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotowild

Double jepardy: coral bleaching and seastar predation

Antler coral (Pocillopora grandis) bleached white by the compounding effects of an El Nino with global warming being attacked by a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (Acanthaster planci) photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island. Excessively warm seawater temperature is stressful to live corals resulting in coral bleaching. Corals get their colors from symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, a type of dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. When stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae the live coral turns white.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaTouch of GreyVenomousbiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Double jepardy: coral bleaching and seastar predation

Antler coral (Pocillopora grandis) bleached white by the compounding effects of an El Nino with global warming being attacked by a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (COTS; Acanthaster planci) that also leaves a bleached-white coral in its wake. This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island towards the end of the 2015-2016 event. Excessively warm seawater temperature that commenced during that El Nino was stressful to live corals resulting in widespread coral bleaching. Corals get their colors from symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, a type of dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. When stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae the live coral turns white.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologycotsClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyEl NinoInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPacificstock RFPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaTouch of GreyVenomousbiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalgobal warmingharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciouspredationscubascuba divingsea starseastar predationstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Double jepardy: coral bleaching and seastar predation

Antler coral (Pocillopora grandis) bleached white by the compounding effects of an El Nino with global warming being attacked by a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (COTS; Acanthaster planci) that also leaves a bleached-white coral in its wake. This was photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island towards the end of the 2015-2016 event. Excessively warm seawater temperature that commenced during that El Nino was stressful to live corals resulting in widespread coral bleaching. Corals get their colors from symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, a type of dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. When stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae the live coral turns white.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologycotsClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyEl NinoInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPacificstock RFPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaTouch of GreyVenomousbiologicalbiospherecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalgobal warmingharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciouspredationscubascuba divingsea starseastar predationstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Double jepardy: coral bleaching and seastar predation

Antler coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) bleached white by the compounding effects of an El Nino with global warming being attacked by a Crown of Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island. Excessively warm seawater temperature is stressful to live corals resulting in coral bleaching. Corals get their colors from symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, a type of dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. When stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae the live coral turns white.

AnimalBiologyClass DinophyceaeCnidariaDangerous marine animalEcologyEl NinoFamily SymbiodiniaceaeGenus SymbiodiniumInvertebrateKingdom ChromalveolataKona coast dive siteOrder SuessialesPhylum CnidariaPlantSeacam underwater housingTouch of GreyVenomousbiologicalbiosphereclimate changecnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingdangerousdeadlydetrimentalfatalglobal warmingharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewildzooxanthellae

Crown-of-thorns sea star attacking its prey

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking its prey, coral, in this case a Porites sp. This was photgraphed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateKaloko CanyonKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown of Thorns Seastar details

A close up view of a Crown -of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (Acanthaster planci) showing pedicellaria, which was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island during the spring.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGarden Eel CoveInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPacificstock RFPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown of Thorns Seastar details

A close up view of a Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) showing pedicellaria, which was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island. Aspect ratio = 2:3.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGarden Eel CoveInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown of Thorns Seastar details

A close up view of a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (Acanthaster planci) showing pedicellaria, which was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island. Aspect ratio = 2:3.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGarden Eel CoveInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking its prey

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking its prey, coral, photgraphed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyGarden Eel CoveInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish attacking its prey

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) attacking its prey, coral, photgraphed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyInvertebrateOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild

Crown of Thorns Seastar details

A close up view of a Crown of Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) showing pedicellaria that was photographed under water while scuba diving at Kona, Hawaii Island. Aspect ratio = 2:3.

minimalismminimalistAcanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBig IslandBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiInvertebrateKonaOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVenomousabstractbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarinemarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismpatternperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewildwinter

A close-up of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish arms

A close-up of Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish or Seastar (Acanthaster planci) arms near Kona, Hawaii island.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBig IslandBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiInvertebrateKonaOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismperniciousscubascuba divingsea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewildwinter

A close-up of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Underwater close-up of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) at Maui Island, Hawaii.

Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeAnimalBiologyCOTSClass AsteroideaCrown of ThornsCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarDangerous marine animalEchinodermataEcologyHawaiiInvertebrateOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited StatesVenomousbiologicalbiospheredangerousdeadlydetrimentalechinodermfatalharmfulin situlethallivingmarine lifemortalnaturalworldnatureorganismpernicioussea starstarfishtoxicunderwaterunderwater photographyunderwaterphotovenomous invertebratewild