Skip to main content

Story: Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms

Feather star

Image
Feather star

Normally this species of feather star is a deep-sea dweller, but in the murky waters of Fiordland, they are common at depths of 6–30 metres. Their numerous feathery arms trap tiny food particles that are carried in currents. Feather stars crawl about by means of little appendages called cirri. These also anchor the creature to sponges or corals, as shown here.

Using this item

Ryan Photographic

by Paddy Ryan

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms – Other echinoderms, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5199/feather-star (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.