The
crown-of-thorns sea star,
Acanthaster planci, is a large, multiple-armed
starfish (or seastar) that usually preys upon hard, or stony,
coral polyps (
Scleractinia). The crown-of-thorns sea star receives its name from venomous thorn-like spines that cover its upper surface, resembling the Biblical
crown of thorns. It is one of the largest sea stars in the world.