Question

An ocean food chain is shown.



Which organism is a tertiary consumer?

clownfish
brittle star
killer whale
octopus

Answer 1

In an ocean food chain, a tertiary consumer is typically an organism that eats secondary consumers. In the options provided:

- Clownfish are generally primary consumers, as they feed on algae and small invertebrates.
- Brittle stars are also considered secondary consumers, feeding on detritus and small animals.
- Killer whales are apex predators and can be classified as tertiary or even quaternary consumers, depending on what they are eating.
- Octopuses are generally considered secondary consumers, as they prey on fish and crustaceans.

Therefore, the tertiary consumer in this food chain would be the **killer whale**.