Image 5-9
Heavy Starfish

The heavy starfish (Thromidia catalai) is a large species of starfish that is found in the waters if the Indo-Pacific Ocean from Indonesia to Hawaii. It is also known as the fat starfish and the brown-tipped starfish. With a maximum size of 40 inches (100 centimeters) in diameter, it is one of the largest starfish species in the world. The heavy starfish ranges in color from white to yellow and orange with brown tips at the ends of its legs. It inhabits lagoons and outer reefs where it feeds mainly on detritus.