Linckia guilding is a large yellow to light brown star relatively common in ledges and small caves on the seaward slope and on lagoon reefs and pinnacles and rarely seen shallower than about 3m. It is similar in appearance to Linckia laevigata, differing in coloration and habitat as well as in its typically longer, less straight arms. in that comes in brown and blue color forms. I cannot remember seeing small specimens of Linckia guildingi, so it may be that some of those we are calling Ophidiasteridae spp. are actually small L. guildingi. This species gets quite large, perhaps reaching half a meter in length.
Next to a much smaller Neoferdina cumingi.
Close-up of madreporite.
Underside.
This one had lost part of its arm. The ragged edge looks as though it could have been chewed off, possibly by a pair of starfish-eating shrimp, Hymenocera picta.
Updated 29 June 2021
Updated 9 February 2024