The smooth starfish is a medium-sized sea star with a span of around 8 inches, with a maximum size of about 12 inches. The smooth starfish has 5 very slender, elongated, tapered arms compared with the central part of its body. Its coloration ranges from bright red to orange-red. As its name suggests, the surface of its body is smooth. Each arm displays several longitudinal rows of regularly aligned, darker red spots.

The smooth starfish is found mainly in the Mediterranean sea, as well as in a portion of the Atlantic ocean immediately adjacent to the Mediterranean along the coast of Portugal.

The smooth starfish is found from the surface to depths of more than 328 feet. It inhabits rocky seabeds, coralligenous habitats, crevices and rocky overhangs, where it shelters from sunlight during the day.

The smooth starfish feeds mainly on sponges, but also on mollusks and crustaceans.

The smooth starfish reproduces sexually by releasing eggs into the seawater, where they are then fertilized by sperm released by the male.

Like other sea stars, the smooth starfish can also reproduce asexually, meaning that it is capable of regenerating all or part of its body.

Pay particular attention to rocky crevices when looking for smooth starfishs resting inside ! The bright red coloration of this sea star makes it easy to spot, but be careful not to confuse it with the red sea star, a common name that refers to a different species of sea star. These confusing common names can make identification quite difficult !