There are a few different sea creatures that can display shades of pink. The most well-known pink sea creatures are likely coral and flamingos. However, there are also other animals like starfish, shrimp, sponges, and jellyfish that can appear pink at times. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the sea creatures that are known for their pink coloring.
Flamingos
Flamingos are large pink birds that live near water and get their coloration from their diet. They feed on brine shrimp, algae and other small creatures that contain pigments called carotenoids. These carotenoids are what give flamingos their distinctive pink hue. The more carotenoids in their diet, the pinker their feathers become. Flamingos are found in tropical and subtropical areas near lakes, lagoons, and mangrove swamps. Their pink feathers help camouflage them in the reddish environments where they live and feed. While they spend most of their time standing in shallow water, they are strong fliers and migrate to different locations depending on the season. Flamingos are highly social birds that live in large flocks numbering in the hundreds or even thousands of birds. Their pink plumage makes them one of the most recognizable wading birds in the world.
Coral
Coral reefs are made up of hundreds to thousands of individual coral polyps. Corals have a variety of different colors, but pink, red, and orange corals are some of the most common. The exact pigments that produce pink coral coloration can vary by species, but commonly include fluorescent proteins like GFP (green fluorescent protein), DsRed, and chromoproteins. Some coral species also get their color from symbiotic relationships with colorful algae that live inside their tissues. Environmental factors like water temperature, light exposure, and diet influence the pigments produced and how vibrantly pink the coral appears. Staghorn coral, bubblegum coral, and elegance coral are examples of corals that can range from light pink to deep reddish-pink in color. Since coral polyps secrete a hard skeleton, coral reef structures form over time as new polyps grow on top of old coral skeletons. This provides the architecture for an entire coral reef ecosystem.
Pink Starfish
While most starfish species are reddish, orange, yellow, or brown, there are a few varieties of pink starfish. The pink short spined starfish (Pisaster brevispinus) is one species known for its bright pink body with white spots. It inhabits the Pacific coast of North America. Another pink starfish is the cake star (Anthenea aspera) which has a distinctive pink upper surface with white tubercles. Some cushion stars in the genus Oreaster can also display a pinkish color such as Oreaster reticulatus, the pink seastar. The pink coloration in these starfish generally comes from carotenoid pigments obtained through their diet of mollusks, worms, and echinoderms. The intensity of the pink can vary based on diet and environmental factors. In some starfish, the colorful pigments serve as camouflage to blend in with surrounding coral reef environments.
Pink Shrimp
While most shrimp species tend to be somewhat translucent or more brownish in color, there are a few varieties of shrimp that exhibit a pink hue. The peppermint shrimp is a popular aquarium shrimp known for its pink and white horizontal striped pattern. Its coloration results from pigments like astaxanthin as well as its diet of algae. Other pink freshwater shrimp include the Taiwan bee shrimp and cherry shrimp which have an overall pink or red color. The prawns Penaeus brasiliensis and Penaeus paulensis found along the Atlantic coast of South America can develop a pink and white banded coloration. Pink shrimp get their hue from carotenoid pigments that help them blend into seabeds and vegetation. The intensity of the pink can vary based on their food sources. While not all shrimp stay pink their whole lives, the pink and red varieties add a pop of color to aquatic ecosystems.
Pink Jellyfish
There are a few species of jellyfish that display a noticeable pink tone. The pink meanie (Drymonema larsoni) is a jellyfish found in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean. It gets its name from its bubblegum pink coloring. These jellies have a transparent bell with a pinkish hue and pink structures along the edge of the bell. Researchers believe their pink pigmentation comes from their algal diet which provides carotenoids. The pink jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) has a more purple-pink coloring and inhabits warm coastal waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Young moon jellies can also have a pink tinge before turning more translucent white as adults. The pink jellyfish use their coloration as camouflage to blend in with other pink and purple plankton species.
Pink Sponges
Although many sponges are drab brown or olive colors, there are some brightly colored pink sponges found on coral reefs. Pink tube sponges grow in vertical tubes and come in shades of light pink to deep violet. Their pigments may help provide UV protection, serve as antibacterial compounds, or act as chemical deterrents against predators. The yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis) also displays bright pink or reddish tips in some environments. Researchers found that the pink coloration occurs due to a cyanobacterial infection that chemically alters the sponge’s pigments. Other pink sponges like Neofibularia nolitangere and Eunapius fragilis exhibit rosy hues due to pigments obtained through their diet. Vibrantly colored sponges like these contribute to the diversity of the coral reef landscape.
Factors Influencing Pink Color
For many pink sea creatures, diet is the most important factor affecting their coloration. By consuming foods like brine shrimp, algae, coral, mollusks, and plankton that contain high levels of carotenoids, the animals can accumulate pink and reddish pigments. Carotenoids like astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, and crustacyanin produce pink hues when absorbed into animals’ tissues. The availability and exact types of food sources can cause color variations between seasons and locations. Molting and growth cycles may also affect how deeply pink the creatures appear. Younger, actively growing animals often display the pinkest tones that may fade as they age. Environmental factors like water temperature, sunlight exposure, salinity, and pH can also influence pigment production and pink color intensity in marine species.
Conclusion
In the marine world, pink coloration most commonly comes from carotenoid pigments acquired through the animals’ diets of shrimp, algae, coral, and plankton. Flamingos, coral, starfish, shrimp, jellies, and sponges all contain species that can develop noticeable pink hues. Their color helps them blend into surrounding coral reefs and seabeds where reddish and pink tones are common. While pink is not the most frequent color for ocean creatures, the ones that do display pink add an extra pop of color to tropical reefs and shores. The natural beauty of pink marine life gives an aesthetic boost to already vibrant underwater ecosystems.
