Basket Star

Care Summary

The Basket Star is one of the most alien-looking invertebrates in the ocean, with endlessly branching, curling arms that unfurl at night to form an intricate net for trapping zooplankton, and it is a prized specimen for the most dedicated invertebrate enthusiasts. Mount it in a high-flow area where it will naturally extend its arms into the current, and keep it in a dimly lit or night-active display since it is a nocturnal feeder that retracts during the day. Feeding this animal in captivity is the core challenge: it requires live or very fresh zooplankton of the right size, and animals that cannot be trained to accept frozen Mysis or Artemia typically decline within weeks. Target feed every evening after lights out with a dense slurry of small zooplankton delivered directly into its extended arms using a pipette or turkey baster.