About Plectaster decanus (Muller & Troschel, 1843)
Plectaster decanus, scientifically named by Muller & Troschel in 1843, is a five-armed starfish. It is easily identified by its very bright coloration: its red upper surface is covered in a network of raised yellow ridges, and it has a soft texture. This is one of the few known poisonous sea star species; carrying it for an extended period can cause numbness in humans. It inhabits rocky reefs located off the southern coast of Australia, where it occurs at depths between 10 and 180 meters, equal to 30 to 600 feet. Its primary food source is sponges.
