Blue Linckia Sea Star

Linckia laevigata 

Habitat & Distribution :  Coral reefs & tidepools of the Indo-Pacific

Diet : Detritus, algae

Size : Up to 40 cm

Lifespan : 10 years

Description

Characterized by its vibrant blue, turquoise, or light blue coloration, often with a firm, smooth, or slightly bumpy texture. It typically features five cylindrical, long arms with rounded tips, reaching up to 30–40 cm in diameter. 

Behavior

They can regenerate entire bodies from a single severed arm, asexual reproduction by splitting their disc, and extruding their stomach outside their body to digest food. 

Reproduction

They reproduce both sexually through broadcast spawning and asexually via regeneration. 

Communication & Perception

 They communicate and interact with their environment primarily through chemical signals and physical contact. As echinoderms, they utilize a specialized sensory system to navigate, find food, and locate mates in their Indo-Pacific habitat. 

Predator(s)

Pufferfish, harlequin shrimp, triton shells