About Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Commonly known as the red cushion star, Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest sea star found within its range, sometimes growing to around 50 centimetres (20 inches) in diameter. It typically has five thick, broad arms that project from a large cushioned disc, though some individual specimens have four, six or seven arms. Its upper surface is hard and covered with blunt spines. Adult red cushion stars have body colors that fall in shades of red, orange, yellow or brown, while juveniles are greenish-brown with mottled markings. This sea star occurs across many regions of the Western Central Atlantic, including the Bahamas, Cape Frio, Cape Hatteras, the Caribbean Sea, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Guyanas and Yucatán. Adult red cushion stars are most often found on sandy bottoms and coral rubble at depths of up to 37 metres (121 feet). Juveniles live in seagrass meadows, where their mottled greenish-brown coloring provides effective camouflage. In the winter season, the red cushion star migrates to offshore locations with minimal water movement to avoid turbulent conditions.
