Starchoice....

[EmilyB]

one more

[Buccaneer]

LOL

[StirCrazy]

Damn, I almost spit my coffee

hehe.. ya my guess will still say as "Echinaster (Othilia) echinophorus" the only thing that looks different is the color and that is close enuf to be just a natrual varaiation.

Steve

[Samw]

Deb I predict computer-generated imagery will be your next hobby.

[Bob I]

I need more wine.

[Van down by the river]

Well you can all accuse me of beating a dead horse, but here goes......
Thud.....Thud........Thud........

It seemed there was still doubt as to the identity of this little critter... Well I enjoy a challenge......I would also like to point out that something as simple as slight color variation is not enough to cast doubt on what species this is.
I always like to back myself up with facts (If I don't know something, I find someone that does). Maybe a crazy guy(me) on a web forum has no weight but maybe an extremely well published author/diver/photographer/researcher would, so I asked Neville Coleman for his opinion.
If you don't know who he is, I'll give a brief synopsis:

He is the founder and curator of the Australian Marine Photographic Index.
which is the largest scientifically curated visual identification system in the southern hemisphere. Since he started in 1969 he has logged over 100 expeditions around the world, with over 12,000 dives, and he is responsible for discovering more than 400 species new to science.
The catalog covers over 11,000 species! He has done TV programs for National Geographic, spoken at many conferences such as MACNA, published articles in over 150 magazine's including National geographic and Time Life. He has also Authored over 50 books.

So basically.... he knows his stuff, and I'll take his word over a local store owner any day. He said:

"the sea star is a beauty, nothing like I have ever seen in the INDO-PACIFIC and I have most of the shallow water (to 40 metres ) species photographed.It is not in Rowe's INDO-PACIFIC (black and white listings book, certainly not figured anyway)
Unfortunately that's the best I can do as my literature on other areas is limited. Best Wishes Neville "

As he focuses on Indo-Pacific both with his work and literature he had no record of this starfish (because it's a Caribbean species).

Like I mentioned before this star most likely was on a tranship order from a wholesaler. Most areas without a direct flight to Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore,etc get their fish through transhippers, or wholesalers. Wholesalers consolidate shipments from around the world and provide the greatest selection to stores. You can get Purple tangs, Royal Grammas, and Flame Angels on the same order.

Anyways, I enjoyed this debate, and who says no one posts anymore?! Who would have thought Emily's simple picture of a starfish would get 45 replies and 500 views and counting!!!
For the record, I am now 100% confident that this is: Echinaster (Othilia) echinophorus
from the Caribbean

[Van down by the river]

I do have to say you've totally stumped me with the "smiling face star", it may be new to science or a Calgarian anomaly

Maybe it's a mutation from the water out there?
I guess it's a mystery that may never be solved........

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Van down by the river

I do have to say you've totally stumped me with the "smiling face star", it may be new to science or a Calgarian anomaly

Maybe it's a mutation from the water out there?
I guess it's a mystery that may never be solved........

Could not be the water as she uses RO/DI

Cheers

[Delphinus]

Thanks for doing the homework, Van. I had serached every online resource I could find listing Indo species and really came up empty, so it's good to know that my lack of findings wasn't because I was overlooking something but rather that it was because there was nothing to find!

Anyways, nice to have that little mystery solved.

[Van down by the river]

I try online first but I find most sites only have general info. Besides I enjoy the detective work.