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Phylum. Starfish belong to the phylum Echinodermata, which is the largest phylum without any members that live on land or in fresh water. Echinoderms have five-point radial symmetry as adults, but are bilaterally symmetrical as larvae. They have an endoskeleton consisting of calcareous plates that often include spines.upiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images. Although fish and starfish both belong to the kingdom Animalia -- which is the largest division of taxonomic classification -- starfish lack a spine, and therefore belong to a different phylum than true fish.
The larvae settle to the sea floor and adopt their distinctive adult radial symmetry. Sea Stars. Sea stars, also known as âstarfishâ, are probably the most well known echinoderm of the sea. The common name âstarfishâ is quickly being replaced by the more accurate term âsea starâ.Since starfish have no relation to fish, the term âsea starâ is preferable.he most striking feature of all echinoderms is their pentamerous radial symmetry. That is, the body can be divided into five parts (or appendages) which point outward from the center of the body. Interestingly, although most mature echinoderms are radially symmetrical, the larvae usually have bilateral symmetry.