Many-rayed Feather Star
Capillaster multiradiatus
Also known as: Crinoid Feather Star, Crinoid Feather Starfish, Feather Starfish, Many-armed Feather Star, Sea Lilies, Storked Sea Lilies
- Crinoid Feather Star
- Crinoid Feather Starfish
- Feather Starfish
- Many-armed Feather Star
- Sea Lilies
- Storked Sea Lilies
Overview
Found singly or in groups, during the day, anchored, under dead and live corals, and rubble, crawling out nocturnally to high coral, rocky ledges, and outcrops, over current swept areas, close to the reef feeding. They can also be found nocturnally swimming freely to feeding.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-West Pacific
- Country only · 1
Found singly or in groups, during the day, anchored, under dead and live corals, and rubble, crawling out nocturnally to high coral, rocky ledges, and outcrops, over current swept areas, close to the reef feeding.
Adult photos 1
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- familyComasteridae
- genusCapillaster
- speciesCapillaster multiradiatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
SourcesWoRMS