Yes Van,
I thought echinaster was the closest choice when I first got it. I have the baensch atlases. However, the pic is not really anywhere close. Nor any of the online echinaster pics.
Sounds for sure like a similar type starfish tho.
The echinaster in the Baensch atlas is called a red starfish as a common name (strangely enough)...and says they come from the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic from Brittany to the Gold Coast. They are also much larger.
Anyway, the guy told me he has never been able to order them in. They come in accidentally with "red starfish"...... he orders.
Doesn't matter, I just wanted to give a heads up, so everyone is out there watching for them
Mystery stars !