Hula skirt siphonophore
Physophora hydrostatica
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Invertebrates
- Ecosystem
- Deep sea
- Relatives
- Other siphonophores; Order: Physonecta
- Diet
- Zooplankton
- Range
- Midwater; 2,297–3,281 feet (700–1,000 m)
- Size
- Up to 16 inches (41 cm) long
Meet the hula skirt siphonophore
This siphonophore has a float and swimming bells. They're able to regulate their density by changing the amount of gas in their float. The float has a pore at the bottom that emits gas and can be refilled with secretions produced by a special gland.
Conservation
Anything that finds its way into the ocean—whether it's tossed away as trash or washed off a beach or boat—may eventually make its way to the deep sea. The deep sea isn't so far away that it's beyond the reach of human activities. Living creatures in the deep are affected by what we do at the surface.
Cool facts
- This siphonophore swims at an average speed of about one foot (0.3 m) a minute. During periods of strong upwelling, they can often be found at the surface carried by strong vertical currents.
Want to see amazing deep-sea creatures up close? Visit our exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean (En lo Profundo: Explorando Nuestro Océano Desconocido).
Want to see amazing deep-sea creatures up close?
Visit our exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean (En lo Profundo: Explorando Nuestro Océano Desconocido).
Learn about the exhibition
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