Purple Sun Star

Solaster endeca

Solaster endeca typically grows to about 20 centimeters in length, but some individuals can reach sizes of up to 40 centimeters. This sturdy starfish usually has 9 or 10 arms, although it can occasionally have between seven and 13. Its upper surface is composed of calcareous plates and is adorned with peg-like projections known as paxillae, giving it a relatively smooth texture. The coloration varies from greyish-cream to pinkish-purple, and the arms often curve upwards at the tips, exposing the lighter underside. It can be mistaken for Crossaster papposus, but Solaster endeca is distinguished by its smoother upper surface. This species is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, typically at depths ranging from 0 to 450 meters. It prefers habitats such as muddy sand, gravel, and rocky areas, and can thrive in both sheltered and exposed locations. Solaster endeca has a circumboreal distribution, occurring around Greenland, northeastern Canada, and extending down the East Coast of the United States as far as the Gulf of Maine. In the Baltic Sea, it is noted as a vulnerable species. As a predator, the purple sun star preys on other starfish and bivalve mollusks in the Atlantic, while in the Pacific, its diet mainly consists of sea cucumbers and other invertebrates. Breeding occurs during the spring, when females release thousands of eggs that are fertilized in the water. The larvae develop into juvenile starfish over several weeks, undergoing a metamorphosis that leads to the formation of arms and tube feet. Encounters with this species during dives can be intriguing, as divers may observe its unique coloration and arm structure in its natural habitat.