Stars of the Ocean

Cushion Sea Star is one of the most recognizable and popular sea star species in the Caribbean, including around St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This large sea star is known for its thick inflated body, rough textured surface, and bright orange, red, yellow, or brown coloration. It is often called the “cushion sea star” because mature individuals lose their pointed star shape and appear swollen like a cushion. Sea stars are not actually fish but echinoderms, meaning they are more closely related to sea urchins and sand dollars. Cushion sea stars move using hundreds of tiny tube feet underneath their bodies and feed on algae, detritus, microorganisms, and small invertebrates found on seagrass beds and sandy seafloors.

Historically, Caribbean sea stars were commonly collected as souvenirs for tourists, and in some areas overcollection caused local population declines. Today, many conservation groups encourage visitors not to remove or handle sea stars because exposure to air, sunscreen, and stress can harm them. Cushion sea stars are now appreciated more for their ecological role and value in marine tourism, especially in snorkeling and shallow-water habitats throughout the Caribbean. Their bright colors and large size make them one of the most photographed echinoderms in the region and an important symbol of tropical marine ecosystems.

Sources:

• Smithsonian Ocean – Sea Stars
• Florida Museum – Cushion Sea Star
• National Park Service – Caribbean Marine Life
• IUCN Red List – Oreaster reticulatus