Tunicate

Salp

Family Salpidae

PacificAtlanticIndianSouthernArctic Found in 4 oceans

All oceans, very abundant in the Southern Ocean

Depth

From the surface to about 1,000 m

Size

A few centimeters, in chains several meters long

Diet

Filtered phytoplankton

Zone

Twilight zone · 200 – 1,000 m

Key facts

• It alternates between a solitary generation and a generation of long chains of clones.
• It moves by water jet, pumping water through its transparent body.
• Its feces sink fast and carry carbon down to the bottom.

Verified sources

1. Australian Museum, What is a salp?
2. WoRMS, Salpidae

In the game: To observe

In the same zone

Arrow wormPhylum Chaetognatha Giant ostracodGigantocypris sp. PhronimaPhronima sedentaria Giant red mysidNeognathophausia ingens TomopterisTomopteris sp. BristlemouthCyclothone sp.