2026-04-30T16:25:29-07:00

Type: STARFISH
Price: 84.99

Assorted Feather Star

The Assorted Feather Star (Crinoidea sp.) is one of the most mesmerizing and otherworldly invertebrates in the reef hobby. Indo-Pacific in origin, these living fossils belong to a class of animals that has barely changed in over 200 million years — and watching one move makes that obvious. Long, feathered arms ripple and unfurl in slow, hypnotic waves, opening into a perfect flower of motion that catches every current and pulls light through the water column. Few animals in the saltwater hobby move quite like a Feather Star.

What makes the Feather Star a true centerpiece is its combination of fluid movement, alien architecture, and rich coloration that ranges from deep burgundy to gold, jet black, and electric yellow. Each specimen perches on rockwork or a high-flow vantage point and extends its arms outward into the current, becoming a living, breathing feature that constantly redraws the visual layout of the tank. It is the kind of animal that reef-keepers stop and watch — and that visitors photograph the moment they see it.

Feather Stars are best suited for experienced reef-keepers, but they are within reach for any reefer willing to commit to consistent phytoplankton and fine particulate feeding. With the right food source, this is an animal any dedicated hobbyist can keep thriving long-term.

Available Options

1 Feather Star

One Indo-Pacific Feather Star — coloration varies based on availability

Mesmerizing, current-driven movement that turns any reef into a living display

Accessible to any committed reef-keeper with consistent phytoplankton and fine particulate feeding

Care Information

💡 Lighting
Low to Moderate — non-photosynthetic

🌊 Water Flow
Moderate to High — strong, constant current essential

📍 Placement
Elevated rockwork in high-flow areas — chooses its own perch

⚙️ Care Level
Advanced — accessible to all reefers with consistent phytoplankton feeding

🐠 Temperament
Peaceful — filter feeder, non-aggressive

🍽️ Diet
Plankton — phytoplankton, zooplankton, fine particulate foods

🌡️ Temperature
76–82°F (24–28°C)

🧂 Salinity
1.024–1.026 — drip acclimate slowly

Special Considerations

Feather Stars are filter feeders that require a steady supply of phytoplankton and fine particulate foods to thrive — with the right feeding routine, this is an animal any committed reefer can succeed with. Provide strong, consistent water flow and elevated perches that allow the arms to extend fully into the current. Dose live or bottled phytoplankton daily and target feed regularly with zooplankton and fine particulate foods such as Reef-Roids, oyster eggs, or rotifers. Established refugiums and active dosing programs make this much easier to sustain. Avoid housing with aggressive fish, large angelfish, or any species known to nip at delicate invertebrates. Drip acclimate slowly and handle the specimen as little as possible during transfer to reduce arm shedding. Cover all powerhead and pump intakes before introducing the Feather Star.

🔍 Aquarium Insights

The Assorted Feather Star is unlike anything else in the reef hobby:

Living crinoids belong to one of the oldest animal lineages on the planet — over 200 million years of evolution refined into a single moving sculpture

Arms move independently and constantly, pulling plankton from the water column in slow, deliberate sweeps

A statement showpiece for any reefer willing to commit to consistent phytoplankton feeding — coloration and species vary by availability, and every specimen brings its own personality and motion to the display

Learn More

For detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our Species Library.

Livestock Disclaimer
Due to natural variation between species and specimens, the Feather Star you receive may vary in coloration, arm count, and overall size. Pack composition and species are selected based on current availability from Indo-Pacific suppliers.

Photographs are representative examples. Coloration and form may differ between individuals and can shift depending on lighting, flow, and feeding conditions.

As with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.