Ecology

Neoferdina cumingi is a cryptic starfish species, found on Heron Island reef. The individual starfish retrieved and studied was located on a patch of sand between the coral thickets on the intertidal outer reef flat and reef crest. It is speculated that this individual was travelling between coral thickets at the time of collection. A study undertaken by Antokhina and Britayev (2012) in Vietnam demonstrated no symbiotic species appear to be associated with N.cumingi. Further studies examining the habitat of this species in other locations have determined their specific habitat requirements. These parameters areas follows; depth range of 5.5-77m, temperature range of 24-26°C and a salinity of 33-35 PPS (Ocean Biogeographic Information System 2012). 

heron island reef crest at dawn