Live Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus) Please Note This Is A Live Science Specimen
The Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus), also known as the Sea Walnut, is a small, translucent ctenophore found drifting in tidal upwellings throughout open bays of the Gulf of Maine. These delicate, gelatinous animals are mesmerizing to observe, with rows of tiny ciliary combs that refract light into shimmering rainbow colors as they pulse through the water.
Collected by gentle dip-netting, Sea Gooseberries are best viewed in seawater aquaria with minimal flow, where their rhythmic movements and iridescence can be appreciated up close. Though fragile, they are among the most captivating live specimens available for classroom and laboratory study, particularly in early summer when populations are most abundant.
Common name: Sea Gooseberry, Sea Walnut Scientific name:Pleurobrachia pileus Locations: Tidal upwellings in open bays Seasonality: Early summer is best; sometimes available year-round in plankton tows Colors: Translucent clear, white Size: ½” average Collected: By dip-net Quantity: Sold by the each
Uses: Excellent for marine biology demonstrations, ctenophore research, or educational aquarium exhibits showcasing bioluminescence and ciliary motion.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. Ctenophores are delicate and must be handled with extreme care. If you would like a preserved sample instead, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Live Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus) Please Note This Is A Live Science Specimen
The Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus), also known as the Sea Walnut, is a small, translucent ctenophore found drifting in tidal upwellings throughout open bays of the Gulf of Maine. These delicate, gelatinous animals are mesmerizing to observe, with rows of tiny ciliary combs that refract light into shimmering rainbow colors as they pulse through the water.
Collected by gentle dip-netting, Sea Gooseberries are best viewed in seawater aquaria with minimal flow, where their rhythmic movements and iridescence can be appreciated up close. Though fragile, they are among the most captivating live specimens available for classroom and laboratory study, particularly in early summer when populations are most abundant.
Common name: Sea Gooseberry, Sea Walnut Scientific name:Pleurobrachia pileus Locations: Tidal upwellings in open bays Seasonality: Early summer is best; sometimes available year-round in plankton tows Colors: Translucent clear, white Size: ½” average Collected: By dip-net Quantity: Sold by the each
Uses: Excellent for marine biology demonstrations, ctenophore research, or educational aquarium exhibits showcasing bioluminescence and ciliary motion.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. Ctenophores are delicate and must be handled with extreme care. If you would like a preserved sample instead, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Tidepool Tim says, “Sea gooseberries arrive in great swarms each spring - there are literally tens of millions of them in our bay. We don't always find them though. Prevailing winds and tides can deliver them to opposite shores each day. Some summers there are lots and other summers we see none. Looking closely at a gooseberry will reveal two long whitish tentacles trailing out behind the jelly. These are used to fish for food. Along the oval-shaped body, there are 8-rows of cilia. These beat in waves and propel the little sphere along its way! They actually can swim along quite fast. Once their tentacles contact food, the catch is reeled in and put into its mouth. They catch planktonic animals, fish, shrimp, and worms. Amazing!”
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