Firebrick Sea Star

Asterodiscides truncatus

Asterodiscides truncatus is a five-armed starfish characterized by its reticulate arrangement of plates on the upper surface, adorned with brightly colored tubercles in shades of red, purple, and orange. The large superomarginal plates at the tips of its arms help distinguish it from similar species. This starfish is found in rocky habitats along the south and east coasts of Australia, as well as the Norfolk Ridge and Kermadec Islands in New Zealand. In southern Australia, it typically inhabits deeper waters at around 120 meters, while in New South Wales, it is more commonly seen on shallow rocky reefs within the subtidal zone. Feeding primarily on sponges and other colorful benthic organisms, A. truncatus grazes at the base of kelp forests, where its colors provide some camouflage. Breeding behavior includes the release of gametes into the water column, which occurs when the starfish elevates its body by standing on the tips of its arms. Although not much is known about its biology, it is known to have a life cycle involving planktonic larvae that metamorphose into juvenile starfish. Divers may encounter the Firebrick Sea Star while exploring rocky reefs, where it can be observed grazing among sponges. With a depth range from 14 to 792 meters, divers should be prepared for varying conditions depending on the location.