Feather starfish does what he wants

Nice! How long have you had it?

Since Saturday

what a cool creature! I didn't even know they existed before seeing this photo. Off to Google to find out more...

how beautiful.

They look nice, but apparently they are next to impossible to keep in captivity. The owner of my LFS insisted it was low maintenance and that it only needed phyto once a week.

However, according to what I've read online, they should remain in the wild as their needs are not fully understood yet... So i'm left with a blossoming flower of sorts, which will inevitably wilt and wither away over the next few weeks.

Lesson learned: Do your homework BEFORE you buy!

It is a hard lesson. Listening to LFS owners is like someone who has never driven a car and then going to a car salesman and buying the first thing they recommend.

Lakshwadeep....tisk tisk, Maybe in his case the LFS owners are just out for the buck , but we know that by telling you the right thing in the first place, you will keep you spending your bucks with us later down the line. I have three customers that THINK they want Moorish Idols and I won't even entertain the idea with two of them, and the third guy is gonna have to sign a "sponge" contract lol. He has plenty skills, money, and space, but I want him to commit to buying a certain amount of sea sponge on a regular basis before I get one for him.

I totally agree with both points. He's been very trustworthy thus far and extremely knowledgable otherwise. I'm shocked honestly, and I plan to bring this up with him during my next visit. Perhaps i didn't ask the right questions as well. I couldn't possibly blame him entirely as I opted not to get a white hammer coral at the last second because this starfish was so alluring... $40 is the least of my concerns, he may have permanently burned a bridge.

I have the exact same species of crinoid. It was dying when I picked it up. The store I got it from had no idea how to take care of it and was trying to pass it off as an easy animal to take care of yet they had not fed it in two weeks. He (or she haven't figured that out yet) is happy and healthy, and has been so for the past 8 months. I may be able help you take care of yours if you are having trouble getting it to feed. I spent along time researching and studying its behavior (all hours of the night). It is a lot of work and dedication but it is possible even with the red ones and absolutely worth it.

Im concerned I don't have the capacity to take care of it without the rest of my tank suffering.

Would you be up to adopt him? Free, outside of shipping costs of course...

Yes i am up for adopting him. I will message you for details.