Some type of night coral? Please ID

[weaponeer]

Came across this on a night dive at Roatan. I've never seen it before anywhere in the Caribbean. I've searched ID databases but have come up empty. Can anyone explain this and give an ID?

 

[Kukuisa]

It is a Basket Star. They are closed during daytime and spread out at night to catch their meal. This one looks like a Giant Basket Star (Astrophyton muricatum).

K.

 

[weaponeer]

Thank you so much for identifying it. I don't do much night diving so it was new to me. Cousin to starfish and urchins, very interesting.

 

[cdreamer]

I love basket stars. If you have a bright light you can draw worms in and watch it feed. I've done that with a few corals at night and it's pretty cool.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I love basket stars. If you have a bright light you can draw worms in and watch it feed. I've done that with a few corals at night and it's pretty cool.

Hmmm... the only thing I've seen a basket star do in response to a bright light is close back up into it's daytime ball. But I reckon it might whack a worm on the way...
I have a video somewhere... if I can find it I'll post it.
Rick

 

[designbysue]

I have done the flashlight feeding thing too. Rick, maybe you shined the flashlight in it's eyes! (ha ha)

Sue