Marine Life . 5 species

Sea Stars & UrchinsSpiny, slow, and stunning.

Echinoderms - the "spiny-skinned" animals - are some of the reef's most ancient residents. Crinoids waving from coral heads, brittle stars under rocks, and the spectacular blue sea star.

5Species in this group

BestYear-round

Where7 dive sites

About sea stars & urchins

Echinoderms include sea stars, sea cucumbers, urchins, and crinoids. Their slow pace makes them macro favourites.

The species

Every sea stars & urchin you can meet in Marsa Alam.

Common

Blue Sea Star

Linckia laevigata

Brilliant electric blue starfish, often draped across coral heads in shallow water.

Did you know? If they lose an arm, they can regrow it - some species grow a whole new sea star from a single arm.

Size: 30 cm
Diet: Algae, dead matter
Season: Year-round

Best places to see one

Sha'ab Marsa Alam Abu Dabbab Bay

Common

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Acanthaster planci

Large spiky venomous starfish that eats coral. Look but absolutely do not touch.

Did you know? They have 8-21 arms (unusual for echinoderms) and venomous spines.

Size: 40 cm
Diet: Coral polyps
Season: Year-round

Best places to see one

Sha'ab Marsa Alam Um Halhala

Common

Feather Star

Comatulidae spp.

Living fossils with feathery arms that wave in the current to catch plankton.

Did you know? They can actually swim short distances by undulating their arms.

Size: 30 cm arm span
Diet: Plankton
Season: Year-round

Best places to see one

Elphinstone Reef Gota Sagar (St. John's)

Very common

Long-spined Sea Urchin

Diadema setosum

Iconic black urchin with extremely long, venomous spines. Provides shelter for cardinal fish.

Did you know? Their spines can pierce a wetsuit and break off inside the skin.

Size: 30 cm spine span
Diet: Algae
Season: Year-round

Best places to see one

Marsa Shouna Marsa Egla

Very common

Pineapple Sea Cucumber

Thelenota ananas

Large sausage-shaped echinoderm that crawls slowly across the sand, processing it for organic matter.

Did you know? They can eviscerate themselves as a defence - ejecting internal organs that regrow.

Size: 70 cm
Diet: Sand, detritus
Season: Year-round

Best places to see one

Marsa Egla Abu Dabbab Bay

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