Plankton Worm (Tomopteris helgolandica)—Preserved— Wet Specimen
Plankton Worm Preserved in a Glass Jar
We collect most of our Tomopteris worms during nighttime plankton tows, when these translucent swimmers rise closer to the surface. Unlike most worms, these graceful creatures drift freely in the open ocean, pulsing their paddle-like appendages in mesmerizing, rhythmic waves. Their bodies are entirely transparent—almost ghostly—except for the bright yellow or orange pigment found in the gut and reproductive glands. Under the right lighting, they shimmer like glass, and when disturbed, some species emit bioluminescent flashes from their parapodia—a remarkable sight.
Though they look delicate, Tomopteris are active predators. Their jaws, tucked inside a muscular pharynx, can be extended to snatch copepods, fish larvae, and even other worms. We've witnessed a particularly large one wrestling with a chaetognath, proving that even in the planktonic world, it’s eat or be eaten.
In captivity, Tomopteris are fleeting—short-lived and sensitive to light and turbulence—but for those lucky enough to view them up close, they offer an unforgettable look into the alien beauty of oceanic life. Whether you're studying marine food webs or just fascinated by transparent animals that glow, these pelagic worms are among the ocean’s most magical planktonic predators.
Plankton Worm Preserved in a Glass Jar
We collect most of our Tomopteris worms during nighttime plankton tows, when these translucent swimmers rise closer to the surface. Unlike most worms, these graceful creatures drift freely in the open ocean, pulsing their paddle-like appendages in mesmerizing, rhythmic waves. Their bodies are entirely transparent—almost ghostly—except for the bright yellow or orange pigment found in the gut and reproductive glands. Under the right lighting, they shimmer like glass, and when disturbed, some species emit bioluminescent flashes from their parapodia—a remarkable sight.
Though they look delicate, Tomopteris are active predators. Their jaws, tucked inside a muscular pharynx, can be extended to snatch copepods, fish larvae, and even other worms. We've witnessed a particularly large one wrestling with a chaetognath, proving that even in the planktonic world, it’s eat or be eaten.
In captivity, Tomopteris are fleeting—short-lived and sensitive to light and turbulence—but for those lucky enough to view them up close, they offer an unforgettable look into the alien beauty of oceanic life. Whether you're studying marine food webs or just fascinated by transparent animals that glow, these pelagic worms are among the ocean’s most magical planktonic predators.
Plankton Worm Preserved in a Glass Jar
We collect most of our Tomopteris worms during nighttime plankton tows, when these translucent swimmers rise closer to the surface. Unlike most worms, these graceful creatures drift freely in the open ocean, pulsing their paddle-like appendages in mesmerizing, rhythmic waves. Their bodies are entirely transparent—almost ghostly—except for the bright yellow or orange pigment found in the gut and reproductive glands. Under the right lighting, they shimmer like glass, and when disturbed, some species emit bioluminescent flashes from their parapodia—a remarkable sight.
Though they look delicate, Tomopteris are active predators. Their jaws, tucked inside a muscular pharynx, can be extended to snatch copepods, fish larvae, and even other worms. We've witnessed a particularly large one wrestling with a chaetognath, proving that even in the planktonic world, it’s eat or be eaten.
In captivity, Tomopteris are fleeting—short-lived and sensitive to light and turbulence—but for those lucky enough to view them up close, they offer an unforgettable look into the alien beauty of oceanic life. Whether you're studying marine food webs or just fascinated by transparent animals that glow, these pelagic worms are among the ocean’s most magical planktonic predators.
