Cushion star

Scientific name : Culcita sp.

Large, pentagonal sea star. The dorsal side is burgundi-red in colour, with triangular areas covered with pink papillae. The oral side has large polygonal plates coloured in pink, purple and blue, forming a typical pentagonal pattern around the mouth. 30 cm diameter.
We encountered this species only in Lembeh strait, in a single dive spot, in a shallow sandy bay. Identified from Culcita novaeguineae by the triangular plates on the back, and by the large plates around the mouth.

Associated organisms
With the commensal shrimp Periclimenes soror.