Water-loving folks across Michigan got quite the surprise this summer when a jelly blob appeared in Lake Huron. Called everything from “cursed gummy bear” to “mutant brain,” this squishy mass turned out to be something much more fascinating – a magnificent bryozoan colony that’s been quietly filtering water for approximately 480 million years.

Not Alien Goo, But Zooid Crews at Work

That strange blob spotted in Lake Huron? It's actually Pectinatella magnifica, a community of thousands of tiny filter-feeding animals called zooids working as a team. Each zooid is tiny (usually <1 mm, rarely up to ~4 mm); together they form colonies that commonly reach 30-50 cm across — far larger than a softball.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office shared a photo of the bryozoan colony on social media, describing it as resembling a "cursed gummy bear" and noting how these organisms often spark curiosity among the public.

Water Filtration Systems You Never Invoiced For

These bryozoan colonies act like natural water treatment plants, working 24/7 at no cost to taxpayers. Each tiny zooid extends feathery tentacles called lophophores that create mini-currents, pulling in food particles from the water.

A single zooid filters about 8.8 milliliters of water daily – multiply that by thousands in a colony, and you've got serious water cleaning power without infrastructure costs or maintenance contracts.

Watershed managers note that these colonies can improve water clarity by removing suspended particles and plankton, functioning as natural biofilters in freshwater ecosystems.

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Old-Growth Investments in Freshwater Health

While they might look like newcomers, bryozoans have been refining their business model for approximately 480 million years – making them some of the oldest living franchises on Earth. Their longevity comes down to smart seasonal planning.

As water cools in fall, the colonies release statoblasts – microscopic survival pods that attach to algae and sink to the lake bottom, then float up and produce new colonies when spring water temperatures rise. Talk about sustainable succession planning!

This cycle explains why kayakers might suddenly notice these blobs in late summer when colonies reach maximum size and visibility. It's like watching a quarterly performance peak before the seasonal restructuring.

Risk Assessment: Zero Concerns for Beach-Goers

Despite looking like something from a sci-fi movie, magnificent bryozoans are generally harmless to swimmers and pets, but these colonies can be a nuisance for water infrastructure by clogging pipes, intakes, and filters. In fact, they're often assets to a lake ecosystem, helping control algal overgrowth and improving water clarity.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends a hands-off approach – let them continue their water purification operations undisturbed. If you do handle one briefly, just wash your hands afterward as you would after touching any natural water feature.

Many lake ecologists consider bryozoan colonies beneficial for their role in filtering suspended particles, contributing to overall water quality in areas where they naturally occur.

Market Conditions Favor Bryozoan Growth

Pectinatella magnifica is native to eastern North America (Ontario/New Brunswick south to the Gulf states). It has been introduced elsewhere (parts of Europe, Asia, and the western U.S.), where it can sometimes be considered invasive. Its presence in Lake Huron makes perfect sense from a habitat perspective.

Pectinatella magnifica is a warm-water species (field records show occurrences between ~4-32°C/39-90°F), and colonies expand during the warm, food-rich months. Warm summer surface temperatures and local nutrient conditions can favor bryozoan growth; recent warm seasons (NOAA GLERL data) make summer sightings more likely in the Great Lakes region.

There are roughly 4,000-5,000 living bryozoan species worldwide (most marine). Fewer than ~100 are freshwater species; in North America about two dozen freshwater species are known — and P. magnifica is among the most conspicuous.

Underwater Team-Building Done Right

Look closely at a bryozoan colony and you'll see a masterclass in organizational efficiency. In freshwater bryozoans like Pectinatella, most zooids are feeding/reproductive autozooids rather than highly specialized heterozooids (specialized defensive zooids are more typical of some marine bryozoans).

Bryozoan colonies demonstrate remarkable coordination despite their simple structure, with individuals working together to filter water, reproduce, and maintain the colony.

This cooperative approach has kept bryozoans in business while countless other species have gone bankrupt in the harsh marketplace of evolution.

From Yuck Factor to Wonder: Changing Perceptions

The social media buzz around Lake Huron's "cursed gummy bear" shows how even in 2025, nature still has the power to stop us in our tracks. What initially triggered the "ick" response has become a teaching moment about the hidden workers maintaining our freshwater systems.

Next time you're paddling the shallows or fishing near shore, take a moment to appreciate these gelatinous colonies. They're not scary mutations but rather living examples of what long-term ecological partnerships look like – cleaning our waters one tiny particle at a time, no contracts required.These humble colonies remind us that sometimes the most valuable work happens below the surface, without fanfare or recognition, benefiting the entire ecosystem's bottom line.