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.
Fair Isle beachcombing finds – Species spotlight
Last month we shared this image incorrectly identifying it as a salp. Thanks to one of our followers for getting in touch suggesting that this species was in fact Agalma elegans, a species of siphonophore and not a salp. This was further confirmed by a species expert from the Marine Biology Association.
Siphonophores are a type of hydrozoan, generally long and thin structures made up of multiple colonial units known as zooids. They propel themselves through the water using a method similar to jet propulsion and are known to feed on a varied diet of small crustaceans such as copepods, small fish and cnidarians.
Whilst some species are more difficult to identify than others we endeavour to ensure that all species information we post is accurate so would like to apologise for the confusion and thank those who pointed it out and helped us to confirm the correct ID!
credit: Diane Stout
Agalma elegans.