Pacific blood star (Henricia leviuscula)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Asteroidea · Order: Spinulosida · Family: Echinasteridae · Genus: Henricia.

Accepted name: Henricia leviuscula · Authority: (Stimpson, 1857) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 369117.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chaetaster californicus Grube, 1865; Cribrella laeviuscula (Stimpson, 1857); Henricia attenuata H.L. Clark, 1901; Henricia inequalis Verrill, 1914; Henricia leviuscula attenuata Clark H.L., 1901; Henricia leviuscula var. inaequalis Verrill, 1914; Henricia spatulifera Verrill, 1909; Linckia leviuscula Stimpson, 1857.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=369117 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Henricia leviuscula. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 20 cm · Depth range: 0–400 m · Habitat zone: benthic · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.

SeaLifeBase notes: It is found on rocks, especially those encrusted with sponges and bryozoans, from the low intertidal to a depth of 400 meters (Ref. 865).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 49519) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Henricia-leviuscula.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

161,065 georeferenced occurrence records for Henricia leviuscula are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 35 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 24 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (160,161); Canada (839); Korea, Republic of (43); Mexico (17); Russian Federation (2).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5187438) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5187438&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=369117 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

They can usually be identified by their bright orange-red color, but there can also be many variations from tan to almost purple. The disk can be a mottled gray color. There can also be a saddle-like marking of lilac blotches between the rays, but the rays are not mottled. They commonly have 5 rays (occasionally 4–6).

The rays are smooth and appear smooth due to the lack of pedicellariae and spines. The species is relatively small; the diameter is usually over 8 cm and rarely gets larger than 12 cm. As with all seastars the blood star has a madreporite which can be seen in the image below.

Reproduction and life history

Sexes are dioecious and females are not known to brood young. This statement is in conflict with other sources that state that smaller females brood their young and larger females discharge eggs directly in the water and do not brood them. This is one reason that is leading biologists to believe this is a species complex.

Embryonic stages do not adhere to one another but float freely. Post-hatching larvae are ciliated and swim. Spawned eggs have been measured at 1342 μm diameter.

Behavior

In a study comparing seastar righting behavior the Henricia leviuscula twisted arms 1 and 3 toward each other, used arms 4 and 5 to support itself on the bottom of the tank, and moved arm 2 up so it was in a sitting-like position, and began to flip itself over. Overall, it had an average righting time of 15.22 minutes.

Its range is from Alaska to Baja California.

Habitat

Its habitat is the intertidal zone under rocks and protected places from the low-tide line to about 400 m deep. They often have a commensal scaleworm, Arctonoe vittata.

Associations

There may be hybrids and possible distinct species that key to Henricia leviuscula. Subspecies are Henricia leviuscula annectens and Henricia leviuscula levivuscula.

They mainly feed on sponges and small bacteria. The sea star moves these tiny particles, which are captured in mucus and swept to the mouth by ciliated tracts. It may also feed by applying the stomach to the surfaces of sponges and bryozoa.

Not listed. Predators are humans and birds.

Henricia attenuata H.L.

Pacific blood star, Blood star, Blood star fish.

Source: Wikipedia: Henricia leviuscula — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henricia_leviuscula (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.