Photographed at depth of 30 m on the open coast off Monterey Bay. This is a slow-moving seastar that defends itself by secreting copious amounts of mucus. Other invertebrates in this view include the seastar Dermasteria imbricata and the sea snail Cypraea spadicea.
Another individual from subtidal Sares Head. Note the flabby-looking aboral side, caused by the extra membrane above the actual aboral side. This individual will be in danger of dying when placed back into seawater if any bubbles have gotten into the space between the outer membrane and the aboral surface, because it will cause the animal to float around the tank uncontrollably. This species is best left submerged at all times. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2000.
In this photo, taken underwater off Northwest Island by Kirt Onthank (Feb 2006), Pteraser tesselatus is seen near hydroids and the sea cucumber Psolus chitonoides.
