Staryu's body is mostly composed of a pliable, golden-brown star-shape, from which Staryu derives its title as the Star Shape Pokémon. Between its five appendages, at the very centre of its body, an exterior organ called the core is held in place by a gold piece. The core resembles a red jewel and functions similarly to a madreporite. Lopped around its left leg is a golden ring that seems to hold the core in place. Staryu is hermaphroditic.