Crown-of-throns starfish
Acanthaster planci
The crown-of-thorns starfish, ''Acanthaster planci'', is a large, multiple-armed starfish that usually preys upon hard, or stony, coral polyps . The crown-of-thorns starfish 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 starfish in the world.