Salps capture tiny algae for food by filtering seawater through a net of mucus.
“Also called thaliaceans, salps are small free-swimming marine creatures with gelatinous, semitransparent bodies that move around by means of jet propulsion, drawing in water through an aperture at one end of the body, and then forcing it out through another aperture at the opposite end. The water drawn in is also used for feeding, because while inside the body it is strained through a baglike net of mucus, which traps any tiny algae present. The salp feeds on the algae.” (Shuker 2001:161)
