WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
Feather stars are crinoids, relatives of sea stars and sea urchins. Jointed arms carry pinnules that create the feather-like appearance. Attachment may involve cirri or arms, depending on the species. Colour and span alone do not establish a precise taxon.WHERE DO THEY LIVE?
Tropical feather stars occupy reef supports where currents bring particles. Depending on species and circumstances, they may stay exposed or withdraw into shelter. Crawling, and sometimes swimming, does not turn this substrate-associated way of life into a pelagic one.WHAT DO THEY EAT?
They consume suspended particles. Small structures on the arms and pinnules intercept plankton and organic particles, which are then carried to the mouth. The balance of these resources differs among species and environments; this guide does not assume identical diets for all feather stars.GO FURTHER WITH AMIGANSEAU
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