The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
Crinoids are ancient marine animals belonging to the echinoderm group, related to starfish and sea urchins. They include feather stars and sea lilies, found in oceans worldwide from shallow reefs to deep-sea environments. With their many feathery arms, crinoids capture plankton and organic particles from the water. Some species are free-moving, while others remain attached to the seafloor by a stalk.
Crinoids use their delicate, branching arms to filter food from ocean currents, often spreading them wide in flowing, fan-like shapes. Their appearance makes them some of the most elegant and distinctive creatures on coral reefs. They play an important role in marine ecosystems as filter feeders, contributing to nutrient cycling. Like many marine species, crinoids are sensitive to environmental changes, making healthy oceans essential for their survival.
