Asterias forbesi, commonly known as Forbes sea star, is a species of starfish in the family Asteriidae.

Like many starfish species, the upper surface is covered in blunt conical projections giving it a rough feel.

[4] Asterias forbesi is found in the intertidal zone of rocky shores on the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine southwards to the Gulf of Mexico.

It then inserts its stomach, turning it inside out in the process, and secretes enzymes, digesting the body of the mollusc in situ.

Other similar trials have involved starving starfish for two months prior to the experiment and this provides greater motivation to seek prey.

The eggs hatch into bipinnaria larvae which form part of the zooplankton and develop over a period of about three weeks before settling on the seabed and undergoing metamorphosis into juvenile starfish.

[2] The ciliate parasite Orchitophrya stellarum has been found in the gonads of up to 20% of male Asterias forbesi in Long Island Sound.