General Description

May exist as an individual (solitary form) or in a colony of multiple individuals (aggregate form). Solitary form is barrel-shaped with a wide opening at one end, and a narrower opening at the other. Four muscle bands extend across the upper surface, forming two "X" shapes. Colonial forms are similar except the body has a rounded point at one end. Up to 8 cm long.

Biology

Salps feed by filtering water through their body and catching their food (tiny plankton) on a mucous net.

Habitat

Open water, near surface to depth of 100 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide.

Species Group

Jellyfishes and allies › Salps

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

8 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Harmful

Not known to be dangerous to humans.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

• Jellyfish and allies

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed