This orange sea star (genus Hippasteria) was observed at a depth of 1,715 meters (5,627 feet) during Dive 07 of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition having picked up a (very muddy) hitch-hiking brittle star. Hippasteria are common coral predators; as we did not observe corals nearby, this one was likely in between meals. The reasoning for the brittle star having climbed onto the sea star is not known.
Orange Sea Star
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download larger version (jpg, 1.27 MB).

This orange sea star (genus Hippasteria) was observed at a depth of 1,715 meters (5,627 feet) during Dive 07 of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition having picked up a (very muddy) hitch-hiking brittle star. Hippasteria are common coral predators; as we did not observe corals nearby, this one was likely in between meals. The reasoning for the brittle star having climbed onto the sea star is not known.