Predatory tunicate

{{Short description|Species of marine filter feeder}}

{{more citations needed|date=January 2016}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Predatory tunicate - MBA.png

| image_caption = Predatory tunicate Megalodicopia hians

| taxon = Megalodicopia hians

| authority = Oka, 1918{{cite web |author=Karen Sanamyan |year=2010 |title=Megalodicopia Oka, 1918 |editor1=Noa Shenkar |editor2=Arjan Gittenberger |editor3=Gretchen Lambert |editor4=Marc Rius |editor5=Rosana Moreira Da Rocha |editor6=Billie J. Swalla |editor6-link=Billie J. Swalla |work=World Ascidiacea Database |publisher=World Register of Marine Species |url=http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=249571 |accessdate=June 28, 2011}}

}}

The predatory tunicate (Megalodicopia hians), also known as the ghostfish,{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Nicholas |date=28 September 2014 |title=Marine Organism of the Week, Ghostfish |url=https://www.bates.edu/biology/2014/09/28/marine-organism-of-the-week-4/ |website=Bates}} is a species of tunicate which lives anchored along deep-sea canyon walls and the seafloor. It is unique among tunicates in that, rather than being a filter feeder, it has adapted to life as an ambush predator. Its mouth-like siphon is quick to close whenever a small animal such as a crustacean or a fish drifts inside. Once the predatory tunicate catches a meal, it keeps its trap shut until the animal inside is digested. They are known to live in the Monterey Canyon at depths of {{convert|200|-|1000|m}}. They mostly feed on zooplankton and other tiny animals. Their bodies are roughly {{convert|5|in|cm|abbr=out}} across.{{Cite web|title=Predatory tunicate Megalodicopia hians|url=https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/predatory-tunicate|access-date=2021-06-02|website=www.montereybayaquarium.org}}

Predatory tunicates are hermaphrodites, producing both eggs and sperm, which drift into the water. If there are no other tunicates nearby, they can self-fertilize their eggs.