The image of a strange-looking creature caught by an Australian fisherman has been rapidly circulating across the internet, sparking curiosity and wonder among viewers.
The fisherman discovered an unusual, unidentified creature while fishing in Western Port, located in southern Victoria. He posted a picture of the beast on a Facebook group, seeking help from others to identify it.
In the now-viral photo is an organism resembling a feather when viewed from above, with an orange-colored, tube-shaped lower part that curves at the end. Following its sharing, internet users engaged in lively speculation about its identity.
Some humorously commented on its shape, while others proposed it might be a sea cucumber. As the comments grew increasingly negative, the posters eventually disabled the comment section.
Dr. Merrick Ekins from the Queensland Museum suggests that the organism is probably a sea pen, specifically of the Virgularia species. Additionally, the Collection Manager of Sessile Marine Invertebrates mentioned that these creatures are not dangerous; they are simply native to the area. The official Melbourne Museum website describes sea pens as a colony of animals composed of polyps.
Sea pens are fascinating marine invertebrates that belong to the same class as anemones and corals. They are typically found in a variety of habitats, including current-swept areas, protected bays, gulfs, and the deep waters along open coasts.
These creatures have a distinctive structure: a lower tube-like part called a stalk, which remains buried in the sand, and a feather-like upper part that extends upward and is used for both collecting food and pumping water. Sea pens primarily feed on plankton and can reach lengths of up to 46 centimeters. While they are not harmful, handling them can result in a prickly sensation.