Predatory tunicate

The predatory tunicate (Megalodicopia hians), also known as the ghostfish,[2] is a species of tunicate which lives anchored along the deep sea canyon walls and seafloor. The animal is immediately recognizable by its distinct appearance, bearing a resemblance to that of a Venus flytrap. It is one of the only species of tunicate that is a predator versus filter-feeding. Its mouthlike siphon is quick to close whenever a small animal such as a tiny crustacean 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 200–1,000 metres (660–3,280 ft). They mostly feed on zooplankton and tiny animals, and their bodies are roughly 5 inches across.[3]

Predatory tunicate
A drawing of the predatory tunicate Megalodicopia hians
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Tunicata
Class:	Ascidiacea
Order:	Enterogona
Family:	Octacnemidae
Genus:	Megalodicopia
Species:	M. hians
Binomial name
Megalodicopia hians Oka, 1918 [1]

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 the eggs.[4]