Sclerasterias heteropaes. Out in the open at about 65 ft. Much more common in southern CA. Chris Mah at CAS verified this is Sclerasterias heteropaes and not (my mistaken ID of) Astrometis sertulifera.

It seems there is word out there that the NE Pacific Solaster paxillatus is a separate, undescribed species. Placing it as such (9 arms that taper abruptly, not puffy in armpits), until / if ever / such species is described. That way if that happens it will be easy to bring the whole group into the new taxon.

High density in the shallow subtidal. This population appears to have survived when most sunflower stars elsewhere, especially in the Salish Sea, were killed by the Sea Star Wasting Syndrome in late 2013/early 2014.

Hooded Nudibranchs "huddled" with hoods down.
Had this unique behavioural observation recently. I have already checked in with experts (Lamb, Behrens, Fletcher, Kocian) and they have also not seen this before.

I don't believe they are mating. In my observations of mating, Hooded Nudibranchs pair up and orient right-side-to-right side, bodies elongated.

Observed on the Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Expedition in May to June 2023. Look below for a link to the observation video, and check out the expedition website for more info at https://www.oceannetworks.ca/expeditions/northeast-pacific-deep-sea-expedition/

Observed on the Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Expedition in May to June 2023. Look below for a link to the observation video, and check out the expedition website for more info at https://www.oceannetworks.ca/expeditions/northeast-pacific-deep-sea-expedition/