Can you help identify these (this?) critters?

[dr_mom]

This photo was taken near St. Kitts on July 5. These were located inside a barrel sponge. Any ideas on what this might me? I cropped the photo to zoom in. However, I do have a higher quality photo that shows more detail if someone has an idea and wants to check more closely.

Thanks for any help

 

[jlyle]

Basketstar. (Astrophyton muricatum)

 

[Aqua Buoy]

Looks like a Basket Star to me from the photo, the exact species and name would probably require an ID book and/or some probing of the critter, which I'd advise against.

See also http://www.martysnyderman.com/cgi-local/if/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Basket_Stars


nic

 

[DennisW]

Yep, that's a basketstar.

 

[dr_mom]

Thanks for the ID. I hadn't thought of basket stars.