What is That Goo?

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You’re enjoying a sunny day by the lake. The water’s clear, the breeze is perfect—and then you spot it: a strange, jelly-like blob clinging to your dock, a branch, or maybe even floating by.

Before you shout “Alien slime!” 👽 … take a deep breath. What you’ve found is something totally natural—and actually kind of awesome.

Let’s talk about bryozoa (pronounced bry-oh-ZOH-uh)—Lake Wedowee’s gelatinous little mystery critters.

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🧬 So, What Are Bryozoa?

These gooey blobs are colonies of tiny animals, not one big creature. Each colony is made up of thousands of miniature filter-feeders called zooids. Together, they form a squishy, jelly-like mass—sometimes as small as a plum, other times as big as a basketball! 🏀

The most common species you’ll see around here is called Pectinatella magnifica. And while it looks like something from a sci-fi movie, it’s actually one of the oldest and most fascinating freshwater organisms around.

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🌊 Where (and When) to Spot Them

You’ll usually see bryozoa:

• Attached to submerged wood, rocks, boat docks, or aquatic plants

• In calm, warm water—they love still coves and quiet inlets

• During late spring through early fall, especially in clear water

They often look bumpy or brain-like under the surface. Some even mistake them for frog eggs—but bryozoa are firmer, denser, and far more interesting!

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🧼 Are They Dangerous?

Not at all! In fact, they’re good for the lake.

Here’s why:

• 🧽 Each tiny zooid acts like a natural filter, cleaning the water by trapping plankton, algae, and bacteria

• 🐟 Some aquatic creatures feed on them or use them for shelter

• 🌊 Their presence often indicates healthy water quality

So if you see a blob, don’t panic—celebrate! It means the lake is doing just fine.

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⚠️ What They're Not

To clear up some common confusion, bryozoa are not:

• ❌ Algae (though they sometimes grow near it)

• ❌ Snail egg sacs (those are usually clear and stringy)

• ❌ Dangerous (they don’t sting, bite, or spread disease)

Still not sure what you’re seeing? Apps like iNaturalist can help ID your lake discoveries!

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💡 Final Thought

Lake Wedowee is full of surprises—and some of them are squishy, wiggly, and totally worth learning about. Next time you spot a jelly blob underwater, you’ll know you’ve found a little piece of ancient lake magic.

Tell a friend. Share a pic. And keep exploring! 💚

Originally posted by Lake Wedowee Life Magazine via Locable