Juveniles, until reaching about 0.8 cm in diameter, when they are about 7 to 8 months old, feed purely on M. insigne.
The starfish will remain at the M. insigne nursery for about a year.
This coralline alga is rich in calcium which is beneficial for the young starfish and its skeletal growth.
After this stage, the diet of S. australis shifts to include, but is not limited to, P. canaliculus.
 The starfish, as it increases in size to about 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter and begins to mature, will then solely feed on the mussels.
The diet of this starfish during the adult stage consists mainly of Perna canaliculus, the New Zealand green mussel.
This carnivorous shift in diet is consistent with a relocation from the nursery algal spaces to close reefs containing dense populations of P. canaliculus.
The mussel beds ultimately become the permanent home for this invertebrate.
In order to feed on the mussel, Stichaster australis utilizes its tubular feet to tug on the sides of the mussel’s shell.
 Once the shell is broken, the starfish inserts its stomach to digest the innards of the prey.
Once the sea star is finished digesting its prey, it will swallow its own stomach back into its own body.
 After feeding, the starfish will leave white marks on the mussel, a remnant of the predatory relationship.
Juveniles, until reaching about 0.8 cm in diameter, when they are about 7 to 8 months old, feed purely on M. insigne. The starfish will remain at the M. insigne nursery for about a year. This coralline alga is rich in calcium which is beneficial for the young starfish and its skeletal growth. After this stage, the diet of S. australis shifts to include, but is not limited to, P. canaliculus.  The starfish, as it increases in size to about 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter and begins to mature, will then solely feed on the mussels. The diet of this starfish during the adult stage consists mainly of Perna canaliculus, the New Zealand green mussel. This carnivorous shift in diet is consistent with a relocation from the nursery algal spaces to close reefs containing dense populations of P. canaliculus. The mussel beds ultimately become the permanent home for this invertebrate. In order to feed on the mussel, Stichaster australis utilizes its tubular feet to tug on the sides of the mussel’s shell.  Once the shell is broken, the starfish inserts its stomach to digest the innards of the prey. Once the sea star is finished digesting its prey, it will swallow its own stomach back into its own body.  After feeding, the starfish will leave white marks on the mussel, a remnant of the predatory relationship.
Reef starfish