the orange sea lily is found on reefs at depths of between . its range includes florida, the caribbean sea, the gulf of mexico and the bahamas southwards to the coast of brazil. in the daytime it usually keeps its body hidden in a crevice, under coral or inside a sponge, with several of its arms extended to filter feed. in strong currents or heavy seas, it stops feeding and retracts all its arms. at night it emerges from its hiding place and may be found poised on top of a coral or sea fan with its arms extended to feed.