Very much an Arctic species, the Rigid Cushion Star, Hippasteria phrygiana, is rare around the UK but sometimes seen in more northern parts on both east and west coasts. There are a variety of common names and another one that is fairly often used is the Horse Cushion Star. A solid starfish with short arms and a large body, it is a pale red colour and grows to about 20cms across. Not a lot is known about this starfish and it seems to prefer soft ground where it feeds on bivalves and echinoderms.

Very much an Arctic species, the Rigid Cushion Star, Hippasteria phrygiana, is rare around the UK but sometimes seen in more northern parts on both east and west coasts. There are a variety of common names and another one that is fairly often used is the Horse Cushion Star. A solid starfish with short arms and a large body, it is a pale red colour and grows to about 20cms across. Not a lot is known about this starfish and it seems to prefer soft ground where it feeds on bivalves and echinoderms.