Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. In Australia recorded from Albany in Western Australia, across the tropical north, throughout Queensland and south to around Sydney in New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Frequents subtidal areas of algal growth and detritus, to a maximum depth of 90 m.

Additional Notes: Distinguished by the brown/green test with red and white banded spines. May collect detritus from the substrate which is used for camouflage or shade. Grows to around 75 mm.

References: Neville Coleman, Sea Stars. Echinoderms of the Asia/Indo-Pacific. Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd, 2007. p.99.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Salmacis+sphaeroides. Accessed 14/10/2018.