Crown-of-thorns starfish
Red Sea marine life

Crown-of-thorns starfish

Coral-eating starfish covered in venomous spines. Outbreaks devastate reefs.

All Red Sea marine life

About this species

Eats live coral, leaving white skeletal patches behind. Natural reef inhabitant, but in outbreaks numbers explode and large areas of reef can be killed. Spines deliver a painful venom that lasts hours.

Where to find it

On living coral. Rare in Red Sea outside outbreaks.

Safety for snorkelers

Common questions

Crown-of-thorns starfish: is it dangerous for snorkelers?+

Caution. Spines venomous. Painful sting, soak in hot water if accidentally hit.

Crown-of-thorns starfish: where can you see it in Egypt?+

On living coral. Rare in Red Sea outside outbreaks. These trips go where this species lives. It is a wild animal, so a sighting is possible and never promised.

Crown-of-thorns starfish: how big does it get?+

40 cm

More Red Sea species