Chilean Basket Star
Gorgonocephalus chilensis
- Group: Other
- Typical depth: 4–900 m
- For divers: safe
Each arm splits again and again into a dense tangle, and at night the basket star unfurls this living net to trap drifting plankton. It anchors on rocks, hydrocorals, gorgonians and mussels across a huge depth span, from about 4 metres down to 900.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Echinodermata › Ophiuroidea › Euryalida › Gorgonocephalidae › Gorgonocephalus
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 173173.
FAQ
- How deep does the Chilean Basket Star live?
- The Chilean Basket Star (Gorgonocephalus chilensis) is typically found at 4–900 m.
- Is the Chilean Basket Star dangerous to divers?
- The Chilean Basket Star is harmless to divers.