Starfish, or Sea Star, a bottom-dwelling marine animal. Despite its name, the starfish is not a fish; it is an echinoderm, a type of marine animal that is spiny-skinned. There are about 2,000 species, found in all seas, and most often near rocky shores. Starfish typically have five or more tapering arms radiating from a central point. The mouth is in the center on the underside. Extending from the mouth to the tip of each arm are grooves lined with tubelike feet. In certain species, the feet have suction disks. The starfish uses its feet to crawl along the ocean bottom. When an arm is lost, a new one soon grows in its place. Most starfish are brightly colored; red, orange, yellow, and pink are common colors. They vary in size from less than 1/2 inch (13 mm) across to more than four feet (1.2 m).
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