While starfishlive underwater, they're not actually fish at all. In fact,marine scientists已经取代了别洛夫ed starfish's common name with the name "sea star" because, well, the starfish is not a fish.
So, what exactly are they? "They're a type of invertebrate, meaning they don't have a backbone," explains Kim Stone, theGeorgia Aquarium's curator of fish and invertebrates, in an email interview. "Their body consists of a central disc with arms that radiate out, and on the underside, there are hundreds to thousands of small suction cups called 'tube feet' that help the sea star move around, stick to different surfaces and eat."
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还有一些其他的巨大差异,明星fish apart from fish, according to theNational Ocean Service. These cool creatures don't have gills, scales or fins; live only in saltwater; and use sea water instead of blood to pump nutrients through their bodies by means of a "water vascular system."
Eager to find out more about these beautiful marine animals found in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes? Here are 11 more fun facts you might not know about these echinoderms.
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