Some people call them starfish, but they really should be called sea stars as … (Uscian, 2006) Behavior. In Australia, the introduced northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) was first recorded in southeast Tasmania in 1986, where it has become the dominant invertebrate predator in the Derwent River Estuary. Download. 1997), cause major economic loss (Mack et al. Some people call them starfish, but they really should be called sea stars as they aren't fish. Juveniles are yellow with purple markings, whilst the adults are almost entirely yellow. The Northern Pacific Seastar has 5 arms, with upturned tips at the end. Here are five interesting facts about them: These strange sea animals grow up to 50 cm in diameter. Why this is a problem … Final report Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment for the Department of the Environment and Heritage. Introduced species are having major impacts in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide. The roughly 1,600 living species of sea stars occur in all oceans; the northern Pacific has the Ever since it arrived Down Under, it has been roaming the waters in search of food. On the top and sides of the arms, the colour ranges from pale yellow with purple tips, to a mottled yellow/purple. They look friendly, but are actually… The Northern Pacific Seastar The northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis, is believed to have been introduced to south-eastern Tasmania in the late 1970s or early 1980s either as larvae in ballast water, or as juvenile or adult seastars on the hulls of international ships. The average life span of this particular sea star is 10 years, but one could live for up to 50 years. In Australia, the introduced northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) was first recorded in southeast Tasmania in 1986, where it has become the dominant invertebrate predator in the Derwent River Estuary. Best Practice Guidelines for removal of Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis ) In Port Phillip Bay . They live happily at a range of water temperatures. It is native to Japan, Russia, North Korea, and China. Where has it invaded? Northern Pacific Seastar Removal. About the northern Pacific seastar. Sea star, any marine invertebrate of the class Asteroidea (phylum Echinodermata) having rays, or arms, surrounding an indistinct central disk. They could live nearly anywhere on New Zealand's coast. The average lifespan of a sea star is around 10 years, although many sea star species are able to live to about the age of 50. The Northern Pacific Sea star is causing great issues in not only Wilsons Promontory but around Australia today. About the northern Pacific seastar. The Northern Pacific Sea Star Scientists in Australia are keeping a close eye on the northern Pacific sea star . These sea stars exhibit positive phototactic behavior, moving toward light. Predators They do not compete with many other organisms. 2004. Despite their older common name, they are not fishes. The northern Pacific seastar comes from the north-western Pacific, near Russia and Japan. The Northern pacific seastar is a species of starfish known by the scientific name Asterias amurensis.