Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Size: 16 inches (40 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coral reef areas that are rich in corals, gorgonians and coral rubble.
Aquarium Suitability: Not collected for the aquarium trade.
They are suspension feeders and uncoil/coil their arms to gather only extremely fine planktonic food. They also require very specific water currents in the course of gathering food. Without specific attention to their needs, they slowly digest themselves and disintegrate. Usually active at night, these Crinoids are better left in the ocean.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Crinoidea
Order: Comatulida
Family: Comatulidae
Genus: Comaster
FYI: Shown here for identification only.
Was previously identified as Comanthina nobilis.
Color depends upon areas of collection.