Choriaster granulatus—the doughboy / granulated sea star—belongs to family Oreasteridae. It features short, blunt arms, a puffed central disc and a dorsum covered with granules/tubercles, making it conspicuous on Indo‑Pacific reefs.
Ecology & Biology
Diet: chiefly omnivorous/detritivorous, grazing biofilms, microalgae and small invertebrates; occasionally consumes coral or sponges.
Feeding: deploys an eversible stomach to digest food externally.
Regeneration: capable of repairing/regrowing damaged arms.
Ontogeny: juveniles with slender arms becoming stubbier as they mature.
Identification
Five‑rayed symmetry; rounded arm tips; fine granulation and tuberculation on the dorsum. Colour ranges from pale pink and beige to light orange/brown, often with lighter tips. Ventrally, ambulacral grooves and tube feet are evident, with the mouth centred.
Size & Longevity
Size: arm‑to‑arm diameter typically 20–30 cm, sometimes larger.
Life: several years to over a decade depending on conditions.
Range & Habitat
Throughout the tropical Indo‑Pacific on reefs, lagoons, seagrass and coral rubble from ~1–30+ m depth.
Conservation & Threats
Threats: habitat degradation, curio/aquarium collection and local water‑quality decline.
Guidance: adhere to no‑touch/no‑lift practices; avoid buying dried sea‑star curios.
IUCN: marked here as Not Evaluated (NE).
