What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A bright orange seastar filmed in Argentina’s Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon became an online favorite after viewers said its paired bumps resembled Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants. The footage came from a 2025 Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian. The animal has not been identified to species in the cited reports.
Why viewers compared the seastar to Patrick Star
PerthNow reported on August 7, 2025, that a deep-sea rover passed coral mounds and fish before pausing above an orange starfish with two symmetrical bumps. Commenters joked about its shape, including “It’s big-bottomed Patrick!!” and “Patrick’s lost his pants!” Those are viewer jokes about the animal’s appearance, not scientific descriptions or an official nickname. PerthNow’s report describes the footage and reaction.
Where and how the animal was filmed
The seastar was recorded in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina during Schmidt Ocean Institute’s “Underwater Oases of Mar Del Plata Canyon” expedition. The institute used ROV SuBastian, aboard the research vessel R/V Falkor (too), to observe and document deep-sea life. The cruise ran from July 23 to August 12, 2025, with a broader aim of documenting biodiversity and seafloor communities through ROV observations and sampling. The expedition page gives the cruise dates and purpose.
The footage depth is not the canyon’s maximum depth
PerthNow placed the featured footage at around 1,000 meters deep. Schmidt Ocean Institute says the canyon’s deepest point is beyond 3,500 meters. That larger figure describes the canyon’s estimated maximum depth, not where the seastar in the viral footage was filmed. The institute’s August 15, 2025 release confirms the expedition and its canyon context.
#1 Best Overall
- SOFT SALMON PINK STARFISH: Coral features soft salmon pink plush with a velvety microfiber underside for an all-around cuddly feel
- CLASSIC SEA STAR DESIGN: Five soft arms, small dark eyes, and a cheerful smile give Coral the familiar look of a friendly starfish from the ocean
- PERFECT 10 INCH WIDE SIZE: Coral measures approximately 10 inches from side to side for cuddling, carrying, imaginative ocean play, and display
- MACHINE WASHABLE: Easy-care construction lets this soft starfish stuffed animal be machine washed after cuddles, travel, beach adventures, and playtime
- UNDER THE SEA ADVENTURES: A charming plush companion for starfish fans, ocean lovers, beach themes, sea life collections, and imaginative underwater play
What is known about the seastar’s identity
Schmidt Ocean Institute describes the animal as a seastar, but the cited reports do not identify this individual to species. Its resemblance to Patrick Star is a popular comparison based on its shape; it is not a species name, proof of a new discovery, or evidence that the animal is related to a cartoon character.
A separate Schmidt Ocean Institute update in 2026 reported that a taxonomic workshop identified 57 new marine species and five new genera from samples collected primarily during the 2025 expedition. The update does not say that the viral seastar was among those identifications, so those findings should not be attributed to this animal. The 2026 update describes the workshop results.
Rank #2
- 🐟 STAR FISH MAGIC! Dive into a World of Cuddly Sea Creatures with our Star Fish Stuffed Animal! With it's Soft, Plush Fur and Realistic Design is sure to Make the Perfect Cuddly Companion to any Plush Lover out there. Order yours now and Experience the Joy of Snuggling your own Star Fish!
- 📏 50 DIFFERENT PLUSH ANIMALS TO CHOOSE FROM! Pick from Our Sea Animal Collection including Sea Lions, Crabs, Octopus, Dolphins and More! Click our Store Link Above to See all Real Planet Plush Stuffed Animals!
- 🎁 PERFECT FOR PRESENTS & GIFTS! Real Planet Plush Stuffed Animals are the Perfect Gift for the Birthday Girl or Birthday Boy, Christmas, Easter, Summer and More! Fun and Realistic Stuffed Animals for All Ages!
- ✅ SAFETY TESTED, KID APPROVED: All Real Planet Toys are Safety Tested and Exceed EN71, CPSIA, CE and ASTM Testing Standards in Accredited Labs and Contain No Phthalates, Lead, BPA or Heavy Metals to Put Parents' Minds at Ease!
- 🚗 PLAY ON-THE-GO: Made of High Quality Durable Materials, Real Planet Toys are Easy to Take Anywhere & Fully Washable! Great for Parents & Kids on the Go! Hand Wash & Air Dry for Best Results!
How widely the expedition was watched
Schmidt Ocean Institute reported that nearly 4 million people tuned into the expedition’s livestream over three weeks, with more than 17.5 million views across the expedition’s three weeks. These are expedition-wide audience figures, not a view count for the individual seastar clip. The available reports do not establish which post first made that clip trend or give a verified clip-specific view total.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- This plush is approx. 5" x 5.5" x 4.5" in size
- Made from high-quality materials for a soft, fluffy touch.
- Fits in the palm of your hand!
- Own the whole #palmpalsparty collection!
- Holds bean pellets suitable for all ages to ensure quality and stability.
Rank #3
- 🐡Material: Premium plush+ pp cotton. Safe material, more hugs for children.
- 🐡Size: Wide about 11inch.
- 🐡Feature: This is lifelike toy, imitates real wild animals.
- 🐡Use: Cute style for gift, exquisite and cute plush toy animal collection, home decoration.
- 🐡Gift: Exquisite children baby gift, wonderful animal collection fans gift.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
