Once a month we will be sharing a marine species reported via the Fair Isle Marine WhatsApp group. This group is a space for community members and visitors to the isle to share any interesting marine finds. These reports also contribute to marine species records for Fair Isle to help monitor changes in biodiversity.
This month we have Oaten pipes hydroid (Tubularia indivisa) found washed up on the shore at Leestit.
These hydroids, like those pictured, form a cluster known as a colony with individual stems or ‘polyps’ growing up to 10-15 cm in height. They can sometimes be seen with oral tentacles which make a tasty food source for nudibranchs leaving behind only the stems as seen here.
These hydroids are widespread throughout the British Isles and are often found on rocky shores characterised by strong tidal currents.
credit: Katie Cubbon