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The seastar Acanthaster cf. solaris is a common inhabitant from reef communities in the Gulf of California. The size of the species varies greatly along its distribution area, but the factors that might be influencing the its size are not known. Objective. To assess the influence of certain environmental conditions on the size of specimens collected between 2008 and 2009. Methods. The Disc diameter (D_d) of a total of 389 individuals was recorded bimonthly. Data about substrate-type and the type of organisms that were being preyed on by the sea star were also registered. Nocturnal Sea surface temperature, Concentration of Organic Carbon particles and Chlorophyll ? were correlated with Dd. Results. The average disc diameter size was 18.23 ± 0.21 cm, with a minimum of 7, found in December and a maximum of 36 cm, found in February. The sea star was found feeding on eight type of organisms, mostly hard corals (Pocillopora spp, followed by Porites panamensis) and different groups of algae and invertebrates. Hard corals showed statistical differences with Dd (X²₇, ₂₉₈=51.494; p=7.344^-9). A significant correlation was found between size, organic carbon particles (r_s(8)=0.69, p=0.03) and Chlorophyll ? (r_s(8)=0.83, p=5.55^-2), suggesting that primary productivity could be an important factor for the growth of the organisms. Conclusions. Animals can reach larger sizes due to a greater availability of food. Excess of nutrients help to increase juvenile survival, which might cause increase in population abundance and densities

Palabras clave: Biometry; Growth; COTS; Coral communities; feeding habits

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