An unusual sea star (Linckia laevigata) clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

alcyonacea animal animal themes animals in the wild anthozoa aquatic asteroidea bangka beauty beauty in nature biodiversity biology blue blue starfish cnidaria colony color image coral coral reef day echinoderm ecology ecosystem environment fish fragility gripping growth habitat hard coral horizontal indo pacific ocean indonesia invertebrate komodo national park linckia laevigata living organism majestic marine biology nature no people ocean outdoors pacific ocean photography reef reefscape rock science sea sea life sea stars seascape soft coral southeast asia starfish stony coral symbiosis symbiotic relationship tropical climate undersea underwater valvatida wilderness wildlife zoology