Crinoid

Crinoids from the class Crinoidea are from the phylum Echinodermata, comprising the Echinoderms, also known as feather stars are very common on the reef and come in myriad of colours.

They attach themselves to the reef or a gorgoinian fan or coralwith claw like feet. They are passive suspension feeders filtering plankton and small particles of detritus from the water using their feather like arms.

Quite capable of moving location, often in the evenings we seem them from rock to rock to find a position for feeding. That said a lot of the larger ones seem to remain at the same place !

Of great interest is the different species that live within the “fronds” of the crinoid. We have identified several species of shrimps, squat lobsters (very small), and also clingfish that are commensurate with crinoids, often very hard to see, some patience is needed to carefully observe for movement. Every time we photograph a crinoid we do a detailed review of the photo later to see what is in it, then plan to go back with a macro lens to find the critters again.

This specimen from Hat Island, Vanuatu and selected as it stood out on its own clinging to a species of wire-like coral.

Photography by John Warmington