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The Velvet Seastar (Petricia vernicina) is found in the cool temperate waters of southern Australia. It belongs in the Asteropseidae family and these species are characterised by small surface plates that are covered by a smooth tough skin and a large central disc. It can be found from the Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia around the south to the waters of southern Queensland. It is also found in the waters around Norfolk Island in the south Pacific Ocean. This species vary greatly in colour and can be grey, white, orange, brown, red and purple. This species can be found on rocky reefs and rubble habitats in shallow water to depths of 30 metres. This species known to feed on incrusting invertebrates such as sponges, ascidians and bryozoans. It has a maximum width of approximately 20 cm.
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