Distribution: Relatively common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. In Australia recorded from Shark Bay in Western Australia, across the tropical north, in the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, south to central New South Wales on the east coast.

Ecological Notes: Frequents rocky and coral reef areas to a known depth of at least 60 m.

Additional Notes: On the Great Barrier Reef is often royal blue, but in regions outside of the G.B.R. it could occur in other colours such as apricot, pink, purple or grey. Similar Linckia guildingi is best distinguished by the longer more slender arms and usually colour other than blue. Is often host to the shrimp Zenopontonia soror in a commensal relationship. Feeds on coralline algae and detritus, and grows to at least 400 mm dia.

References: Davie, Peter. Wild Guide to Moreton Bay and Adjacent Coasts. Second Edition. Published by Queensland Museum. Vol 2, p.262.

Neville Coleman, Sea Stars. Echinoderms of the Asia/Indo-Pacific. Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd, 2007. p.38.

University of Queensland, Invertebrates of the Coral Sea web site at https://www.gbri.org.au/Species/Linckialaevigata.aspx. Accessed 10/10/2018.