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Photo copyright Tim Nicholson.
Feather star, Lamprometra sp.
Taken on Middle Reef, Red Sea, Egypt.
Feather stars, or crinoids, are so called because their
arms look just like feathers. By day they keep curled up
but on night-dives you see these pretty animals in their
warm colours, with their feathery arms extended. When food is plentiful, with strong currents carrying
large amounts of plankton, feather stars will form
large groups. They appear to have no particular
predators. Look closely and you will often see
another animal - such as a shrimp, crab or fish -
living with the feather star. For more on feather stars see SCUBA News issue 55.
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