Starfish species

※Off display.

In 2009, this starfish was discovered at a depth of 142 meters in the northern waters of Okinawa by an ROV (small unmanned submarine) provided by the Churaumi Aquarium. This was the first record of the species in Japan. A few specimens of this species had been found in waters of the Philippines, West Australia and the New Caledonian islands. Not only was its discovery the first record in Japan, but it also extended its known distribution to the north. Its pentagon-shaped body is the reason for its Japanese name gokakuhitode. The center of its body is salmon pink while the middle of its arms are more reddish-orange and the tips are orange.