What is "starfish"

Starfish \Star"fish`\ (-f[i^]sh`), n.

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of echinoderms belonging to the class Asterioidea, in which the body is star-shaped and usually has five rays, though the number of rays varies from five to forty or more. The rays are often long, but are sometimes so short as to appear only as angles to the disklike body. Called also sea star, five-finger, and stellerid.

   Note: The ophiuroids are also sometimes called starfishes. See Brittle star, and Ophiuroidea.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The dollar fish, or butterfish.

also star-fish, 1530s, from star (n.) + fish (n.).

n. 1 Any of various asteroids or other echinoderms (not in fact fish) with usually five arms, many of which eat bivalves or corals by everting their stomach. 2 (context vulgar slang usually in translations of Japanese pornography English) an anus. See also chocolate starfish. 3 (context obsolete English) Any many-armed or tentacled sea invertebrate, whether cnidarian, echinoderm, or cephalopod.

1. n. echinoderms characterized by five arms extending from a central disk [syn: sea star]

2. [also: starfishes (pl)]

Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or "basket stars". About 1,500 species of starfish occur on the seabed in all the world's oceans, from the tropics to frigid polar waters. They are found from the intertidal zone down to abyssal depths, below the surface.

Starfish are marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have a larger number of arms. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates. Many species are brightly coloured in various shades of red or orange, while others are blue, grey or brown. Starfish have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system and a mouth at the centre of the oral or lower surface. They are opportunistic feeders and are mostly predators on benthic invertebrates. Several species have specialized feeding behaviours including eversion of their stomachs and suspension feeding. They have complex life cycles and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Most can regenerate damaged parts or lost arms and they can shed arms as a means of defence. The Asteroidea occupy several significant ecological roles. Starfish, such as the ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) and the reef sea star (Stichaster australis), have become widely known as examples of the keystone species concept in ecology. The tropical crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) is a voracious predator of coral throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the northern Pacific sea star is considered to be one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.

The fossil record for starfish is ancient, dating back to the Ordovician around 450 million years ago, but it is rather poor, as starfish tend to disintegrate after death. Only the ossicles and spines of the animal are likely to be preserved, making remains hard to locate. With their appealing symmetrical shape, starfish have played a part in literature, legend, design and popular culture. They are sometimes collected as curios, used in design or as logos, and in some cultures, despite possible toxicity, they are eaten.

Starfish are a group of marine invertebrates.

Starfish may also refer to:

Starfish is an upcoming British drama film directed and written by Bill Clark. The film stars Tom Riley and Joanne Froggatt. Principal photography began on 4 December 2015 in Rutland.

Starfish is the fifth album by the Australian rock band The Church, released in February 1988. The band's breakthrough album, Starfish went gold in America and has remained their most commercially successful release. The album sold 600,000 copies in the United States alone. The first single, " Under the Milky Way", charted well in the American Top 40, peaking at No. 24 and No. 2 on Mainstream Rock Tracks, leading to significant exposure of the then relatively underground Australian act. In Australia "Under the Milky Way" climbed to No. 5, and Starfish reached No. 7 on the album charts, the band's highest positions ever in their home market.

Starfish is an Austin, Texas based indie rock band that was formed in 1993. Members included Ronna Era, Jason Morales and Scott Marcus, formerly of Glass Eye (also known from Richard Linklater's "Slacker"). The first two drummers were Clifford and Dave, who were later named in the song Clifford/Dave. Scott Marcus became the permanent drummer in 1994. The band recorded 3 full-length albums on the Trance Syndicate label. King Coffey of the Butthole Surfers ran this record label. Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü produced the first Starfish album, "Stellar Sonic Solutions"

The band did 11 US tours, one Canadian tour and one European tour with the Scottish band "Broccoli", which would be the last tour for Starfish. This tour ended with the bass player for Starfish, Ronna, marrying the guitar player for Broccoli, Grant Myles.

StarFish is an American rock band for children from Maplewood, New Jersey. The band's five members are StingRay (lead vocals and guitar); Grateful Dave (Dave Hartkern) (drums and vocals), Moose (Marc Stern) (lead guitar), Dr. Yes (Mark Asch) (keyboards and vocals) and AntFarm (Antar Goodwin) (bass guitar).

Their first CD, StarFish Rocks! was reviewed by Cookie magazine, which called StarFish a "fantastic example" of a " new wave" of artists making smart music for kids today"

Their two albums have been described as having influences in classic rock groups such as Deep Purple, Cream, Yes, and Pink Floyd, but marketed towards a family audience.