Fauna
Invertebrate

Swimming Crinoid

Analcidometra armata

Also known as Armed Feather Star

Perched atop gorgonians and sea whips along Caribbean reef walls, this feather star unfurls ten pinnate arms to filter food drifting through current-swept waters. When dislodged or threatened, it launches into open water, propelling itself with hypnotic, alternating strokes of its feathery arms before re-anchoring with curved cirri. Its branches frequently harbor tiny symbiotic shrimp and crabs that spend their lives camouflaged among the pinnules.

MarineFilter FeederDeep Reef
Swimming Crinoid reference1 / 2
(c) Robin White, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Robin White · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCopepods, Diatoms, Suspended organic particles
Predators
  • Triggerfish
  • Pufferfish
  • Sea stars
ThreatsAnchor damage, deep-water trawling, and ocean warming
HabitatsOuter coral reef slopes, drop-offs, and mesophotic gorgonian forests
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyColobometridae
  2. SpeciesAnalcidometra armata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Diving Etiquette: Maintain neutral buoyancy near drop-offs to avoid damaging fragile arms.
  • Lighting Caution: Use gentle dive lights to avoid triggering an evasive swimming response.
Related species
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