Luidia clathrata is a member in the family Luiidae. This sea star has a small central disc surrounded by five long, flat arms. The arms contain tube feet which are used for locomotion (Pomory and Lares 2000). The arms of the gray sea star are 2 - 3 times the size of the disc diameter. The surface of the body is covered in plates. The upper surface of the body ranges from gray to light brown, rose or salmon color, although most living specimens are gray. This species differs from other Luidia species by the dark gray or black stripe on the dorsal midline of each arm (Hendler et. al. 1995). Behavioral studies of L. clathrata have shown that this species displays negative phototaxis and will burrow in the sand to avoid light (Hendler et. al. 1995).