Sea lilies (Crinoids) are among the most difficult marine invertebrates to keep. Sessile stalked sea lilies rarely enter the trade, but free-moving "feather stars" are occasionally sold. They require established, mature reef systems with heavy continuous planktonic feeding and zero predatory tankmates. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Why They Are So Difficult

Dietary Needs: They are obligate suspension feeders that require continuous supplies of extremely fine phytoplankton, zooplankton, and suspended organic matter. [1, 2]

Starvation: If their specific nutritional requirements aren't met, they will slowly digest their own arms and disintegrate within weeks or months. [1]

Light & Flow: Most are strictly nocturnal and demand precise, multidirectional water currents to capture drifting food. [1]

Care and Tank Requirements

Tank Maturity: Only attempt these in heavily seasoned, established reef aquariums (6-12+ months old) that feature a deep sand bed and live rock refugium to generate natural microfauna. [1]

Water Parameters: Salinity of 35 ppt (1.026 SG), temperatures between 23°C - 25°C (73°F - 77°F), and pristine water quality with undetectable nitrates and phosphates. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Feeding: You must dose live phytoplankton (such as Nannochloropsis) and zooplankton (like rotifers) regularly, turning off main mechanical filtration and protein skimmers during feeding. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Tankmates: Keep them only with passive, peaceful tankmates. Avoid triggerfish, puffers, large wrasses, and nipping reef fish that view them as an easy snack.

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