Acanthaster Planci Collection

Crown of thorns starfish {Acanthaster planci} Andaman Sea, Thailand

Close look in between the spines of the Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci); Hawaii, United States of America

Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci, Hawaii, USA
Close look in between the spines of the Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci); Hawaii, United States of America

Detail of a crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), Hawaii, USA
Close-up detail of a crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci); Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Macro detail of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci); Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Crown of Thorns Starfish, Hawaii, USA
Close-up of a Crown of Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci); Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Micronesia, Close-Up Of Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster Planci); Yap

Illustration of Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis), predatory sea snail feeding on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci)

Crown of Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci)

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on corals on a reef
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on corals on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on a table coral
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on a table coral on a reef in the Solomon Islands. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

Two rockfish watch cautiously as a pod of pilot whales swim past a coral reef and a Crown of Thorns starfish

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on coral
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on coral near Cocos Island, Costa Rica

A crown-of-thorns starfish on a reef in Indonesia
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on corals on a reef in Indonesia. This species clears space on reefs for other corals and invertebrates to colonize

Small fish hides in the venomous spines of a crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), Cairns, Queensland, Australia, Pacific

Starfish destroying the reef as it feeds
A crown of thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. It is feeding on the reef and destroying it in the process, as can be seen by the white dead patches

Starfish feeding on coral reef
A group of crown of thorn starfish, Acanthaster planci, feeding and destroying the coral reef. Damanged patches of white coral can be seen where the seastars have fed

Hard coral damage caused by crown of thorn starfish (Acanthaster planci). These predators eat the polyps and tissues of the coral leaving behind the white carbonate skeleton

Crown-of-thorns starfish skeleton, X-ray
Crown-of-thorns starfish skeleton. Coloured X-ray of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). This starfish lives on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region

Poisonous spines of a crown of thorns starfish. These poisonous spines belong to the crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)

Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). The crown of thorns is a ravenous predator of corals, and a rapid rise in its numbers has led to the destruction of large areas of reef

Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) crawling over a sandy area between reefs. This starfish grows up to 40 centimetres in diameter and has 12-19 arms

Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) eats coral on a healthy reef, Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Crown of Thorns and Knobby sea stars. USA, Channel Islands, CA
Tom Campbell / SplashdownDirect

Triton Shell - attacking crown-of-thorns Starfish
KA-52 TRITON Snail in shell - attacking Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster Planci) Charonia Tritonis Kurt Amsler Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

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The Crown of Thorns Starfish, scientifically known as Acanthaster planci, is a fascinating creature found in various parts of the world. In the Andaman Sea of Thailand, this starfish showcases its intricate spines that create a mesmerizing pattern. Moving across continents to Hawaii in the United States, we get an up-close look at the details between these spines, revealing their unique texture. In another snapshot from Hawaii, we witness the beauty and complexity of this species. Its vibrant colors and sharp spikes make it stand out against the ocean backdrop. The same can be observed in Micronesia's Yap Island where a close-up shot captures every minute detail on its surface. Interestingly enough, not all marine life appreciates the presence of Acanthaster planci. An illustration depicts a Giant Triton sea snail preying on this starfish species for sustenance. This interaction highlights nature's delicate balance and predator-prey relationships within coral reefs. Speaking of which, coral reefs serve as feeding grounds for these voracious creatures. Whether it's devouring corals or table corals specifically, they leave behind evidence of their appetite while simultaneously shaping ecosystems underwater. As we explore these captivating moments captured by photographers around the world, it becomes evident that even other inhabitants like rockfish and pilot whales are cautious when encountering them near coral reefs. These interactions remind us how interconnected marine life truly is and how each organism plays a vital role in maintaining ecological harmony beneath our oceans' surface.