Identification Photos: Tan Starfish, Phataria unifascialis: The very common Tan Starfish is a member of the Oreasteridae Family and is characterized by its large narrow rays with a dull brown to orange surface. The arms of the Tan Starfish are tan with numerous lateral pores embedded in an orange streak. The tube feet lack suckers.

The Tan Starfish reaches a maximum of just over 1 foot in size and is found over sandy bottoms to 500 feet. It feeds on microfauna, bethic algae, seagrass and other animal matter including echinoderms.

In Mexico, it is present along the Pacific side of the Sea of Cortez south of Magdalena Bay, in the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala, and around all oceanic islands.

The Tan Starfish is a common member of a class of animals known as Echinoderms. The Echinoderms appeared 600 million years ago and form a group of marine animals consisting of approximately 6,000 living species. Brittle stars, sand dollars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and starfish are all Echinoderms, with radial symmetry and a five-part body plan.

The starfish or sea stars belong to the class Asteroidea, and have a unique water-vascular system that uses hydraulic power to operate a multitude of tiny tube feet that are used in locomotion and food capture.

Some feed via expelling the stomach out through the mouth and surrounding the prey, secreting enzymes to digest the food, and then retracting the stomach when finished eating. They exist from intertidal zones to depths of 30,000 feet, with 1,500 species known globally. The bodies are flattened, flexible and covered with colored skin.

Tan Starfish, Phataria unifascialis: Collected off the beach in September 2004, 25 Km. north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on the East Cape Road. Size approximately 6 inches. Description and photos courtesy John Snow.