Diet

• Omnivorous and opportunistic feeder that consumes algae, detritus, microorganisms, and small invertebrates.

• It may also scavenge animal material, including other echinoderms and carrion.

Range

• Tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California south along the Pacific coasts of Mexico, Central America, and to northern Peru, including the Galápagos and other eastern Pacific islands.

• It is widespread along the Mexican Pacific coast, including Guerrero.

• Pentaceraster cumingi occurs in the Zihuatanejo area, including Zihuatanejo Bay.

Habitat

• Found on rocky reefs, patch reefs, rocky bottoms, and adjacent sandy areas.

• Usually associated with shallow coastal habitats.

• In the Zihuatanejo region, it can be encountered on shallow rocky and reef habitats as well as nearby sandy bottoms.

Description

• Large, heavy-bodied sea star with five short, broad arms and a strongly inflated central body, giving it a characteristic cushion-like appearance.

• Can reach approximately 17 cm in diameter.

• Upper surface bears numerous short, immobile spines and prominent raised areas along the arms and central disc.

• Colour is highly variable, ranging from orange-red or reddish-green to greyish, often with a striking bright-red network pattern.

• Although normally five-armed, occasional individuals have four or six arms or show a bifurcated arm as a result of developmental abnormalities or regeneration.