Gulf Stream Pelagic Food Web
Marine
Western North Atlantic — from Gulf of Mexico to Northern Europe
Description
The Gulf Stream is a powerful western boundary current transporting warm tropical water along the US East Coast and across the North Atlantic. This current creates temperature fronts and eddies that concentrate marine life, supporting blue marlin, bluefin tuna, and sea turtles. The Gulf Stream also transports Sargassum weed, fish larvae, and nutrients across the Atlantic basin.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Pelagic bacteria
Marine snow microbes
Mesopelagic scavengers
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Blue marlin
Shortfin mako shark
Orca
3 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Mahi-mahi
Loggerhead turtle
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Copepods
Flying fish
Portuguese man-of-war
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Prochlorococcus
Synechococcus cyanobacteria
Diatoms
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Gulf Stream eddies trap and concentrate plankton, attracting pelagic predator aggregations
- Atlantic bluefin tuna cross the entire ocean basin following temperature fronts
- Loggerhead turtles ride the Gulf Stream from US nesting beaches to European waters
- Blue marlin use their bill to stun schooling fish before consuming them