IF YOU’RE very lucky, you may one day catch a glimpse of a starfish in its natural environment.

But let’s be realistic, chances of seeing this five-armed creature while taking a swim in the Channel are few and far between.

Fear no more. If you want to get up close and personal with an echinoderm, Sea Life is the place to be.

From next month, the centre will offer a new interactive experience.

The new installation will feature more than 170 ‘starfish’ open to visitors from February 10.

The exhibition will replace the Claws installation in hopes of bringing the public a chance to see some of the most “visually captivating” creatures with interactive and educational activities.

General manager Max Leviston said: “Not only is the installation educational, it also provides fun and entertainment for all visitors.

“While starfish play a key role in sustaining the ocean’s many ecosystems, the sea creature is often overlooked.”

He said the new exhibition allows visitors to see the creature’s beauty as well as celebrate the ecosystems made possible by ‘starfish.’

He said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Sea Stars to Sea Life Brighton.

“Starfish, or echinoderms as they should technically be called, are simply stunning creatures.

“I look forward to seeing our visitors entranced by the bright colours and unique quirks of the creatures in Sea Stars.

“I still find watching their movement fascinating.”

While ‘starfish’ are commonly recognized by their five arms and bright colours, visitors will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes that belong to the versatile creature.

The sea creature has more than 2,000 different species.

Species such as the Feather-Star, Mediterranean Red Sea Stars, Sun Star and Blue Star will be displayed within the installation.

Sea stars can be found all over the world in both cold and tropical waters but Brighton residents and visitors alike have the best chance of spotting the common starfish or the cushion starfish when visiting nearby coastlines.

Some of the ‘starfish’ featured have come from every stretch of the world.

Featured sea stars like the Mediterranean Red Star come from areas like Cyprus and Malta while the Blue Star come from as far as the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Their original homes range from Blackpool to Indonesia.