Starfish, despite their name, are not actually fish. They belong to the phylum Echinodermata, whereas “fish” typically refers to members of the phylum Chordata, specifically the class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) or the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish). Here are some key ways in which starfish differ from other fishes:

1. **Body Structure**:
– Starfish: Starfish have a unique body structure characterized by a central disk from which multiple arms radiate outward. Their bodies are typically flattened and covered in a tough, calcareous exoskeleton composed of calcium carbonate plates.
– Other Fishes: True fishes typically have streamlined bodies with a head, trunk, and tail. They are characterized by bilateral symmetry and do not have the radial symmetry seen in starfish.

2. **Skeleton**:
– Starfish: Starfish have an endoskeleton composed of ossicles, small calcium carbonate plates, embedded within their body wall. This endoskeleton provides support and protection.
– Other Fishes: Fishes have either bony skeletons (osteichthyans) or cartilaginous skeletons (chondrichthyans), which provide structural support and protect their internal organs.

3. **Respiration**:
– Starfish: Starfish use a unique system of water vascular canals and tube feet for respiration and locomotion. They draw in seawater through small pores (called madreporites) and distribute it through their body to operate their tube feet.
– Other Fishes: Fishes typically respire using gills, which extract oxygen from dissolved oxygen in water. Most fishes have specialized structures called opercula that cover and protect their gills.

4. **Reproduction**:
– Starfish: Starfish reproduce sexually, with separate male and female individuals releasing sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilization. Some species are also capable of regenerating lost body parts, including entire arms.
– Other Fishes: Fishes also reproduce sexually, but the reproductive strategies vary widely among different species. Some fishes lay eggs that are fertilized externally, while others give birth to live young (viviparity) or retain eggs internally until they hatch (ovoviviparity).

5. **Habitat**:
– Starfish: Starfish are primarily marine animals found in oceans worldwide, inhabiting a wide range of habitats from rocky shores to sandy bottoms and coral reefs.
– Other Fishes: Fishes are also predominantly aquatic, but they inhabit various aquatic environments, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams, depending on the species.

In summary, starfish differ from other fishes in terms of their body structure, skeleton, respiratory system, reproductive strategies, and habitat preferences, reflecting their unique evolutionary history and biological adaptations.

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