Crown-of-thorns starfish

The Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) is a large, colorful marine creature found on coral reefs, primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. Named for its thorny spines, it can grow up to three feet across. While they play a natural role in the ecosystem by feeding on coral, their populations can explode due to overfishing of their predators and nutrient pollution, leading to significant coral reef damage. This overpopulation can threaten the biodiversity and health of coral ecosystems, making management crucial for reef conservation efforts.