Sealife guideThe vermillion sea starMediaster aequalis

Taxonomy
  • Common name: Vermillion sea star
  • French name: Etoile de mer vermillon
  • Scientific name: Mediaster aequalis (Stimpson, 1857)
  • Family name: Goniasteridae
  • Order name: Valvatida
  • Class name: The starfish [Asteroidea]
Range
The vermillion starfish is found in the cold waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is commonly encountered along the coast from Alaska in the north to British Columbia in the south.
The vermillion sea star (Mediaster aequalis)
The vermillion sea star (Mediaster aequalis) ©  | Dreamstime.com
Within the same family
Necklace sea star (Fromia monilis)
Necklace sea star
(Fromia monilis)
Noduled sea star (Fromia nodosa)
Noduled sea star
(Fromia nodosa)
Biscuit sea star (Peltaster placenta)
Biscuit sea star
(Peltaster placenta)
Explore also
Tiger tail sea cucumber (Holothuria thomasi)
Tiger tail sea cucumber
(Holothuria thomasi)
Horned sea star (Protoreaster nodosus)
Horned sea star
(Protoreaster nodosus)
Cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae)
Cushion starfish
(Culcita novaeguineae)
Slate pencil urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus)
Slate pencil urchin
(Heterocentrotus mamillatus)
Hatpin sea urchin (Centrostephanus longispinus)
Hatpin sea urchin
(Centrostephanus longispinus)
Red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus)
Red sea urchin
(Mesocentrotus franciscanus)
Violet sea urchin (Sphaerechinus granularis)
Violet sea urchin
(Sphaerechinus granularis)
Sea Apple (Pseudocolochirus violaceus)
Sea Apple
(Pseudocolochirus violaceus)
The marine species from northeastern Pacific ocean
Big skate (Raja binoculata)
Big skate
(Raja binoculata)
Glassy tunicate (Ascidia paratropa)
Glassy tunicate
(Ascidia paratropa)
Heart crab (Phyllolithodes papillosus)
Heart crab
(Phyllolithodes papillosus)
Spiny pink scallop (Chlamys hastata)
Spiny pink scallop
(Chlamys hastata)
Vermillion sea star (Mediaster aequalis)
Vermillion sea star
(Mediaster aequalis)

Our latestUpdates

Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America
Wednesday, July 9th 2025
Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America
Located just 28 miles north of Miami, the city of Fort Lauderdale is a chic yet laid-back destination, nicknamed the Venice of America thanks to its 310 miles of navigable canals. This coastal city, long overshadowed by its southern neighbor, is now emerging as a must-visit spot in South Florida, combining white-sand beaches, refined lifestyle and lush natural surroundings.
The big skate
Tuesday, July 8th 2025
The big skate
The big skate is one of the largest species of its genus and one of the most distinctive skates along the northeastern Pacific coast. This bottom-dwelling species is easily recognized by two large, dark eyespots on its dorsal surface that resemble prominent eyes.
The California spiny lobster
Monday, May 5th 2025
The California spiny lobster
The California spiny lobster has an elongated body and a hard exoskeleton, usually brown in color with yellow or orange patterns. The California spiny lobster inhabits the temperate waters along the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean, particularly those of California and the Gulf of California.
Photo of the Day
Gorette des vierges (Anisotremus virginicus)
Gorette des vierges
(Anisotremus virginicus)