"A dainty little six-rayed seastar with a total arm spread usually under 2 cm.

"[1] "The genus Leptasterias originates in the Arctic,"[2] and within the United States, this species can be found in the middle intertidal zone of rocky shores of central California, including San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.

Leptasterias pusilla is "...generally believed to be the most abundant species in the subgenus [Hexasterias] along the North American Pacific coast from central California to southern Alaska.

"[3] Leptasterias pusilla may be quite numerous in the middle intertidal zone of rocky shores, typically moving around on the top of rocks at night after hiding under them during the day.

[1] Poikilotherms primarily feed on small gastropods, with only minimal metabolic rate fluctuations in response to changes in ambient temperature.