Discovered a bright orange starfish, its shape is causing a stir on social networks
The strange shape, striking color and strange nickname made the newly discovered starfish species an overnight internet phenomenon.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•05/08/2025
During a survey of the South Atlantic seafloor, researchers from Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) captured live footage of never-before-seen coral reefs and fish species via the Schmidt Ocean Channel. In particular, they captured images of a rare orange starfish. Photo: Phys. Scientists in Argentina discovered this orange starfish in the deep sea off the coast of Mar del Plata. Its unique shape has led to online nicknames likening it to estrella de mar “culona” (big butt starfish) and comparisons with the SpongeBob SquarePants character Patrick Star. Photo: Phys.
The rare creature was observed at a depth of about 300 km offshore, in the Mar del Plata underwater canyon area. Photo: 9gag. With its eye-catching orange color and plump body, this starfish attracts attention not only because it is compared to a human butt but also thanks to the clear footage capturing the moment of moving on the sandy ocean floor. Photo: 9gag.
Immediately after the image was shared, many social media users commented humorously. Some people compared the big-butt starfish to Patrick Star (the goofy pink starfish character in the famous cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants), and even proposed to put it on the list of "national heritage". Photo: Phys. Regarding this incident, some experts and scientists believe that the Big Butt Starfish is most likely a member of the Labidiaster annulatus or Odontaster validus genus. Both species live in the cold waters of the South Atlantic and Antarctica. Photo: Phys.
They are characterised by their bright colours, robust structures and prominent central discs – the part that many people associate with a human buttock but is actually the location of the mouth, located on the underside. Photo: Phys. Readers are invited to watch the video : Discovering many new species in the Mekong River Region. Source: THĐT1.
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