About Fromia monilis (Perrier, 1869)
Fromia monilis, a species of starfish first described by Perrier in 1869, can grow to around 30 centimetres (12 inches) in diameter. The arm tips and central disc of this starfish are bright red, while the rest of its body is paler and structured into large plates. The appearance of this sea star is highly variable, with differences in color, plate structure, and the presence of plates on the central disc and arm armpits. Identifying it from photographs can be difficult, because many other related species such as Fromia nodosa have a very similar look. This species occurs in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, ranging from the Andaman Islands to Australia and Japan. Ecologically, Fromia monilis feeds on encrusting sponges, detritus, and small invertebrates.
