{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "starfish",
  "name": "Starfish",
  "scientificName": "Asteroidea",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "Starfish, also called sea stars, are marine invertebrates of the class Asteroidea, easily recognised by the five arms radiating from a central disc. They are echinoderms rather than fish, and creep slowly across the seabed on hundreds of tiny tube feet. Most species measure 12 to 25 cm across, prey on clams and mussels, and can regrow lost arms. Depending on the species they live anywhere from about 5 to 35 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Echinodermata",
    "class": "Asteroidea",
    "order": null,
    "family": null,
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.5,
    "lengthM": 0.25,
    "topSpeedKmh": 0.1,
    "lifespanYears": 35
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Asteroidea (class)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (mollusks, clams, mussels)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Ocean floors, from tide pools to the deep sea"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "5–35 years depending on species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Size",
      "value": "Commonly 12–25 cm (5–10 in) across"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Very slow; centimeters per minute"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN, most species)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Ocean floors worldwide, from tide pools and coral reefs to the cold deep sea.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Asteroidea.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Asteroidea&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Starfish.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/starfish/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/starfish/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}