Description
General:
Tadpole-like body. Secretes a pair of filters, including a rippled internal filter and a more diffuse outer filter that may be up to 1 meter across. Note the large chambers.
Size:
Greater than 50 mm total length.
Geographic Information
Ocean range (global):
Worldwide. In northeast Pacific Ocean, known from Oregon and Central California.
Habitat description:
Mesopelagic.
Additional Information
Looks like:
Bathochordaeus stygius.
Key visual features:
Body is larger in size relative to the internal filter compared to B. stygius. Inner mucous filter has fewer chambers than thsoe secreted by B. stygius.
References
Encyclopedia of LifeTree of Life
World Register of Marine Species
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Sherlock, R.E., K.R. Walz, and B.H. Robison (2016). The first definitive record of the giant larvacean, Bathochordaeus charon, since its original description in 1900 and a range extension to the northeast Pacific Ocean. Marine Biodiversity Records, 9: 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-016-0075-9.
Citation:
Bathochordaeus charon
(Chun, 1900) Deep-Sea Guide (DSG) at http://dsg/mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Bathochordaeus%20charon. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Consulted on 2025-10-31.