Solitary Pink-mouth Hydroid (Ectopleura marina)

Description: These flower like hydroids consist of gray stem like features called pedicels with pink/orange tentacles a top the end of the stem. These pink tentacles are arranged in two rings: an inner ring and larger outer ring that consists of feeding tentacles used to snag prey. Although hydroids are normally known to cluster together, these Solitary Pink-mouth Hydroids live there individual lives out separately from each-other or in well spaced out clusters.

Habitat: This species ranges from British Columbia to California. They live in the low intertidal and sub-tidal zones in spaced out clumps attached to rocks, floats and other hard surfaces. They inhabit low intertidal and sub-tidal zones due to the fast-flowing current and exposed rocky shores. [At Haystack rock]

Diet: These Hydroids stun their prey with their tentacles, and usually eat copepods, marine worms and small crustaceans.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Solitary Pink-mouth Hydroids are typically 2-5cm tall with 18 tentacles

• They belong to one of the most diverse groups of multicellular organisms

• Not many things eat Solitary Pink-mouth Hydroids due to their stinging tentacles, but it is the meal of choice for the opalescent nudibranch

Reference: Washington State Department of Ecology