Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Tripadvisor Tiktok
Search
Close this search box.

Pink Sea Star

Pisaster brevispinus
A pink sea star out of the water, perched on algae covered rocks

Pink Sea Star

Pisaster brevispinus
Other Common Names
Giant pink sea star
Short-spined sea star
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast
Other Common Names
Giant pink sea star
Short-spined sea star

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

The pink sea star can grow to be nearly 2 feet from arm tip to arm tip. This makes the pink sea star one of the largest species of sea stars. The pink sea star, as its name suggests, is pale pink in color and has the standard 5 arms.

Habitat

Sandy bottom subtidal and very low intertidal areas

Diet

Clams, snails, mussels. sand dollars

Life History

The pink sea star spawns between March and August. After about 30 hours in the egg the juveniles hatch out. Over time the free floating microscopic juveniles will grow their 5 arms. The juveniles then settle to the seafloor and slowly grow into adult sea stars.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

The pink sea star is an important part of the food web. It eats a variety of shellfish and is eaten by larger sea stars and occasionally gulls and sea otters. This sea star helps transport nutrients to larger species by acting as both predator and prey. Pink sea stars may look familiar to those who grew up watching Spongebob Square Pants, as they closely resemble Spongebob’s best friend Patrick Star.
Range
Southern California to south eastern Alaska
On the Oregon Coast
Pink sea stars live in sandy bottomed areas, so they are unlikely to be found in tide pools. The best way to spot one of these large sea stars in the wild is by looking below piers and docks.
Fun Facts
Pink sea stars move using their tiny tube feet, which look like tubular tendrils on the star’s underside. These tube feet can draw in water and stretch out almost 8 inches in search of food! Since its shellfish prey hide beneath the sand, the pink sea star first finds then digs up its prey using those tube feet.

The pink sea star is a competitive predator and if it happens upon the same prey item as a sunflower star, it may fight.

Citations & Other Resources

  • jkirkhart35, Pisasterbrevispinus, CC BY 2.0
  • Cowles, D. 2005. Pisaster brevispinus (Stimpson, 1857). Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Cnidaria/Class-Anthozoa/Subclass_Zoantharia/Order_Actiniaria/Metridium_farcimen.html
  • Encyclopedia of Puget Sound. 2024. Pisaster brevispinus. University of Washington. https://www.eopugetsound.org/species/pisaster-brevispinus
  • Hiebert, T. C., B. A., Butler, A. L., Shanks. 2016.Oregon Estuarine Invertebrates: Rudys’ Illustrated Guide to Common Species, 3rd Edition. University of Oregon Libraries and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.
  • Central Coast Biodiversity Website: https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/spiny-pink-star-bull-pisaster-brevispinus.html
Back to All Animals

Contact Us

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube Tiktok Tripadvisor

Subscribe to E-Newsletter

Subscribe Now

About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Media Policy

Copyright © 2022 Oregon Coast Aquarium. All rights reserved.

Need to update your cookie permissions?

×
Cookies
We use cookies to improve your experience and see how our guests are navigating the website. If this is alright by you, hit 'Accept All', or 'Settings' to customize and learn more. Read our cookie policy
Settings Accept All
Cookies
Choose what kind of cookies to accept. Your choice will be saved for one year. Read our cookie policy
Save Accept All