Cushion Sea Star

How to recognize this animal

A broad, raised central disc and five thick, tapering arms give this sea star its cushioned appearance. Knobby plates form a coarse surface pattern. Adults may be orange, reddish, yellowish or brown, while juveniles can be green and blend into seagrass. The rough upper surface is supported by small skeletal elements called ossicles, rather than a single snail-like shell. The broad disc blends into the bases of the five arms, producing the characteristic inflated outline. Beneath it, rows of tube feet provide contact with the bottom. Its orange upper surface is therefore only one part of a much more complex animal.

Size and life stages

Many adults measure about 20–35 centimeters across, with large animals approaching 50 centimeters. This is the span from arm tip to opposite side, not the width of the central disc alone. Young sea stars are smaller and may have less familiar colors.

Habitat and where to look

Calm shallow water with sand, seagrass and nearby coastal habitat is characteristic. The animal lives on the bottom rather than swimming like a fish. A seemingly bare sandy patch can contain feeding surfaces and small organisms, so avoid kneeling there to photograph it.

Range and local context

The species occurs in Florida and the wider tropical western Atlantic. Florida accounts include the Keys and the Indian River Lagoon region. The common name Bahama sea star does not restrict it to the Bahamas, and regional presence does not guarantee a sighting at every lagoon site.

What is on the menu?

Cushion sea stars feed on material associated with the bottom, including small organisms and organic particles. They can extend the stomach outward during feeding. That remarkable process should be watched without lifting or turning the animal to expose its underside.

Daily habits and behavior

Movement comes from many tube feet beneath the arms, and progress can be almost imperceptible in a short visit. A stationary individual is not automatically dead. Give it time and compare its position with a fixed bottom feature rather than prodding it to produce movement.

Mating and the next generation

Eggs and sperm are released into the water, followed by planktonic larval development and settlement. Juveniles often use seagrass habitat and differ in color from adults. Protecting the surrounding nursery environment therefore matters alongside leaving the conspicuous adult sea stars alone.

Look-alikes and identification traps

Other sea stars may have much slimmer arms or a flatter body. Brittle stars have slender, more clearly separated arms and move differently.

Observe without disturbing

Use the thick disc, tapered arms and surface pattern together, and do not rely on orange color as a species-level identification. Protected from Florida recreational harvest: this is the Bahama sea star named in the prohibited list. Leave it submerged in its original position. Do not lift it for a portrait, stack animals, turn it over or carry it toward shore, even briefly. Dive with Stuart Scuba to explore Florida marine life with an emphasis on careful observation. Ask about current conditions and an appropriate dive plan; wildlife sightings remain unpredictable.

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