Starfish, belonging to the phylum Invertebrata, are a fascinating class of marine creatures found in oceans and coastal areas around the world.

Their bodies are star-shaped, and their limbs are well-structured. When their limbs are open, they often look like flowers floating in the sea, which is very ornamental.

The whole body of the starfish can be divided into two parts: the ventral surface and the dorsal surface, each side having important organs such as excretory pores, reproductive pores, respiratory pores, and throat pores.

In the center of the back of the starfish, there is a circular hole called the oral disc, which contains the organ of Wessel, the part of the starfish that ingests food.

The body structure of the starfish is very unique in that its skeleton is composed of calcium-hardened skin called scleroderma. The scleroderma forms the internal support structure of the starfish body and also provides a degree of defense. The number of limbs varies from five, six, seven, eight, nine, and even more than ten limbs in a starfish. However, regardless of the number of limbs, they all follow a nearly symmetrical physiological structure.

In addition, starfish have a large number of tentacles at the end of their limbs, which are covered with an endless number of small spines and tube feet that can be used to catch food or move around. These tentacles are called pedicellariae.

Starfish live in the ocean, mostly in shallow coastal areas, and prefer to inhabit bottom vegetation such as rocks, corals, and sea grasses. Starfish are carnivorous, preferring to eat algae, shells, reef-building organisms, crustaceans, small fish, and other small marine animals, and can be considered essential members of the underwater food chain.

To feed, starfish can use their mouths to suck on food and release digestive juices for digestion. They can also move through the water in search of food and habitat using a movement called the "peacock's tail."

In addition, starfish can reproduce, giving birth to small larvae in or around themselves, which are carried around the ocean in search of their habitat as the water moves.

Starfish can be found in almost all areas of the ocean. They can live on the shallow ocean floor or in the deep ocean realm at depths of up to 6,000 meters. Starfish have a very important ecological role in all marine environments, as they help maintain the ecological balance of the ocean by acting as litter cleaners, controlling harmful algal growth, and protecting coral reefs.

In some cultures, starfish have also become symbols of beauty, brilliance, mystery, and faith. In ancient Greek culture, starfish were often recognized as the embodiment of Aphrodite, the Queen of Heaven, while in some Chinese folklore, starfish are reputed to be divine beings with magical powers and sacred titles.

In 1986, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that starfish have an amazing ability to regenerate. Even when limbs are cut for external or natural reasons, they can divide and regenerate to become complete starfish. This adds more wonder and mystery to the distinctive species identity of starfish.

However, in recent years, due to the effects of climate change, human activities, and pollution, starfish populations in some areas have been declining, and some species are even in danger of extinction.

Therefore, the conservation of starfish has become an important task for global biodiversity conservation. Although starfish cannot attract as much attention as other large marine animals, they play an important role in the marine ecosystem.

We should take active measures to protect the habitat of starfish, reduce fishing and pollution, and let this beautiful and complex marine creature continue to play its important role.