Common name: Feather star

General information

The Mediterranean Feather Star, Antedon mediterranea, is a species of crinoid, a type of echinoderm related to sea urchins and starfish. Feather stars are known for their ornate, feather-like arms which they use for both locomotion and feeding. Antedon mediterranea is particularly admired for its beauty and the graceful way it moves through the water.

Care

Feather stars require a specialized care regimen due to their unique feeding and environmental needs. They thrive in well-established aquariums with strong water movement and excellent water quality. Hobbyists should provide a varied diet of planktonic foods to mimic their natural feeding habits.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Antedon mediterranea involves the release of gametes into the water column, where fertilization occurs externally. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but with optimal conditions, it is possible to observe spawning behavior.

Symbiosis

While not known for specific symbiotic relationships like clownfish and anemones, feather stars can provide microhabitats for small organisms within their arms and structure.

Habitat

Antedon mediterranea is found in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic coasts. They typically inhabit rocky substrates and seagrass beds, often attaching themselves to substrates with their cirri (small, claw-like appendages) to filter feed on plankton.