Pacific Blood Star

At a glance

Pacific Blood Star (Henricia leviuscula) is an echinoderm present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.

Confirmed by 1,146 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Washington, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• Its vivid blood-red color inspired its name, though some individuals appear orange or pale pink.
• Unlike most sea stars, it feeds primarily on sponges and encrusting bacteria rather than bivalves.
• Found from Alaska to Baja California on rocky reefs from the low intertidal to over 300 feet deep.
• Typically reaches about 4–6 inches across at maturity.
• Its slender arms and smooth, bumpy texture distinguish it from most other Pacific sea stars.

Where Pacific Blood Star are seen

• British Columbia407 iNat obs
• Washington306 iNat obs
• California239 iNat obs
• Alaska167 iNat obs
• Oregon27 iNat obs

Background

Henricia leviuscula, commonly called the Pacific blood star, it is a species of starfish found along the Pacific coast of North America.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Pacific Blood Star article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other starfish/urchins/cucumbers on CatchRules

• Ochre Sea StarPisaster ochraceus
• Mottled StarEvasterias troschelii
• Orange Sea CucumberCucumaria miniata