Description:
Lined sea stars are easily distinguished by their 5 strap-like arms and dark coloration along the midline.  They may reach an adult size of 11 inches, with arm length being 2 - 3 times the disk diameter.  The dorsal surface is covered with many closely set plates, and each arm has a border of short spines.  Tube feet tend to be pointed at the tips of the arms, and are without suckers.  Body color is generally gray, but may vary into shades of brown, rose, or salmon, with the underside being white to cream. There is a dark gray or black stripe along the midline of each arm.  This stripe is generally wider and darker near the tips of the arms.

Habitat:
Lined sea stars are found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 325 feet.  However, they are most common at depths of less than 100 feet.  They typically inhabit protected inshore bays and lagoons where wave action is low.  Preferred substrates are generally mud or sand inshore, and sand/shell offshore. 

Range:
Lined sea stars along the Atlantic coast range from New Jersey to southern Brazil, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, and much of the Caribbean.  They occur throughout coastal Florida.