This crinoid has its arms extended for feeding. Crinoids are most abundant in waters with strong currents, giving them more exposure to passing plankton. Though they normally remain nearly motionless, they can use their cirri (special leg-like appendages on their underside) to crawl, and may even swim freely through the water by alternately flapping their feathery arms. Crinoid species are difficult to identify, especially from photographs alone. I won't attempt to label the ones pictured on these pages. back to crinoid creature thumbnail page