Golden Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa, Class: Feather Stars/Crinoidea)3 with Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis, Suborder: Faviida, Family: Faviidae)1
You can only see the arms of the crinoid in this photo (the feathery appendages emerging from the hole), as they typically hide their bodies in the nooks and crannies created in a coral reef. "Crinoids are the most ancient of echinoderms … sometimes referred to as 'living fossils.'"3
Hard corals (in this photo, it's tan, grooved and directly in front of the crinoid) form the foundation of coral reefs. They are actually soft and delicate animals that create a hard protective shell for themselves (made of calcium carbonate). 1
Hard corals are really neat. Many of them look completely different at night when their polyps and tentacles extend, creating a soft and fuzzy appearance.
1Humann, Paul. Reef Fish Identification, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. Ed. Ned DeLoach. 2nd ed. 3rd Printing (Revised). Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications, Inc, 1997.
3Humann, Paul. Reef Creature Identification, Florida Caribbean Bahamas. Ed. Ned DeLoach. Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications, Inc., 1996.
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