Common name: Shortfin firefish

General information

The Feather Star, scientifically known as Brachypterois serrulata, is a captivating and ancient marine invertebrate that belongs to the class Crinoidea. These echinoderms are characterized by their feather-like arms which they use for both locomotion and feeding. Feather Stars are known for their striking appearance and the way they elegantly unfurl their arms in the water column.

Care

Feather Stars require a specialized care regimen due to their unique feeding and environmental needs. They thrive in well-established reef tanks with moderate to strong water flow, which facilitates their filter-feeding behavior. It is crucial to provide a varied diet of phytoplankton and other fine particulate organic matter that they can capture with their feather-like arms.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Feather Stars is typically sexual, with individuals releasing sperm and eggs into the water column where external fertilization occurs. The resulting larvae are planktonic before settling down and metamorphosing into juvenile Feather Stars.

Symbiosis

While not as commonly known for symbiotic relationships as some other marine species, Feather Stars can host a variety of small organisms, such as commensal shrimps and crabs, which find refuge among their arms and may help keep the Feather Star clean from parasites.

Habitat

Brachypterois serrulata is found in a range of marine environments, often attaching themselves to substrates in reef areas or sometimes seen swimming in open water. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world.