Question

The Northern Pacific seastar is an invasive species in the Great Barrier Reef.
What does this animal eat? What are its main predators? Why is it harmful to native species?

Answer 1

The Northern Pacific seastar primarily feeds on coral polyps, small invertebrates, and algae. Its main predators are typically larger fish, crustaceans, and other sea stars.

The Northern Pacific seastar is harmful to native species in the Great Barrier Reef because it competes with them for food and space, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. It also has few natural predators in the area, allowing its population to grow unchecked. Additionally, the seastar is known to overgraze on coral reefs, causing damage to the delicate habitats and potentially leading to declines in coral populations. This can have cascading effects on the entire reef ecosystem.