This amazing little guy I found at “Polaria” which is the world’s most northerly aquarium. It is located in Tromsø, in northern Norway.
Rather than a mainly scientific aquarium such as the one in Bergen in the Norwegian midlands, Polaria, which opened in May 1998, is designed to be an educational experience, with particular emphasis on displays for children.
Most of the displays focus on the northerly islands of Svalbard. There is a five-screen panoramic cinema, an “Arctic Walkway” area containing displays of polar exploration equipment, stuffed animals and simulated permafrost, many conventional aquaria displaying local marine life as well as open tanks and display tanks containing rock-shore animals, baby fish and other child-friendly exhibits.
The building itself is also worthy of note. Its striking design represents ice floes that have been pressed up on land by the rough seas of the Arctic or pressure ridges. This attractive piece of modern architecture echoes the Arctic Cathedral across the harbour in Tromsdalen on the mainland.
Northern Starfish Features
It can be difficult to distinguish starfishes from each other as they all look quite similar. However, a juvenile northern starfish will have some purple markings. This one is clearly an adult as it is all yellow.
- It’s likely habitats include, bays, estuaries, shores and shallow waters, up to 200m deep
- But, it is usually found in shallow water less than 25m deep.
- It is widespread on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean.
- Male and female starfish release their gametes into the seawater via an external fertilisation process. The larvae when hatched float around as pelagic plankton for around 120 days until they find a resting place. The stimulus of a resting place triggers a move into the metamorphosis into the adult phase.
- The starfish feed using an eversion stomach which extends from it’s mouth to envelop and digest its prey externally.
- Starfish can use tube feet and suckers to move and secrets chemicals to help adhere to surfaces.
- Although captivating and beautiful it is also considered to be an invasive species.
