Crinoids

Echinoderms | Sea Stars | Brittle Stars | Sea Urchins | Sand Dollars | Crinoids | Crown of Thorns | Sea Cucumbers

Featherstar / Family Comasteridae / Class Crinoidea

Feather stars, or crinoids, are among the most beautiful of reef creatures.

The arms of a feather star are greatly divided and extend into the water and so they look quite different from sea stars and other echinoderms.

Habitat

Feather stars can be found sitting on sea fans or in areas of high current.

Feeding

Feather stars are nocturnal plankton feeders.  They do not move around very much but find a position on the reef where currents bring small animals that they filter through the net of their arms. The mouth of a feather star is located on top of its body.

Threats

Divers handling feather stars can easily stress and damage these animals. Like most animals on the Great Barrier Reef, feather stars may be affected by changes in water quality or sea temperature.

---