#starfish #cots #greatbarrierreef #queensland #cairnsaquarium
Crown-of-thorns starfish are large marine invertebrates which feed on corals.
They occur naturally throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The starfish can grow up to 80 cm in diameter. Despite their large adult size, they are often difficult to find on a reef, preferring to hide under ledges or in reef nooks and crannies.
An adult crown-of-thorns starfish can consume up to 10 m2 of coral a year.
Crown-of-thorns starfish breed through spawning over the summer months. Females and males will release their eggs and sperm into the water at the same time to fertilise. A large female crown-of-thorns starfish can release over 200 million eggs a year.
Within two years, the starfish can be mature, and start to reproduce. (1min 2 sec)
The crown-of-thorns starfish gets its name from the numerous sharp spines that cover its upper body. These spines are up to 4cm long and are effective in deterring many would-be predators.
With long, needle-sharp spines covering their bodies, they’ve got built-in protection from predators.
To combat those predators brave enough to attack, the starfish have another line of defence - a toxic slime. Their spines are covered in plancitoxins which can cause liver damage. When threatened they also release saponins - compounds which destroy red blood cells. Together, these toxins can cause great pain to any animal (or human!) unfortunate enough to come into contact with it.
Great barrier reef is experiencing its fourth major Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak since the 1960s. When an outbreak occurs, the starfish can strip a reef of 90% of living coral tissue.
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