Schlegel's Feather Star (Comaster schlegelii)

Also known as Comasteroid Crinoid, Crinoid, Crinoid Feather Star, Crinoid, Sea Lily, Feather Star Criniod, Feather Starfish, Sea Lily, Storked Sea Lily, Variable Bushy Feather Star

Description

Also known as Comasteroid Crinoid, Crinoid, Crinoid Feather Star, Crinoid, Sea Lily, Feather Star Criniod, Feather Starfish, Sea Lily, Storked Sea Lily, Variable Bushy Feather Star.

Found singly or in groups, during the day in high crevices of dead and live coral outcrops, under ledges, on rubble and sandy bottoms, in current prone shallow areas of the reef. At night free swimming, foraging for food over shallow coral and rocky reefs. This feather star can have up to 200arms! Colour varies.
They feed nocturnally on plankton.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 0-200m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Feather stars are usually found curled up during the day, but at night they extend their feathery arms to catch plankton in the currents.
They float, crawl, roll, walk or even swim through the current to different locations.
Some small animals like clingfish and crustaceans can be found in the arms of feathers stars.
Feather stars have both their mouth and anus on the upper surface.
Very much like sea stars if their arms are damaged they can regenerate at will. (edit) Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comaster_schlegelii

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