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How large can bryozoan colonies become?

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Eurystomella bilabiata, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata. — moss animal *Eurystomella bilabiata*, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata.

While individual zooids within a bryozoan colony are typically no more than one millimeter in length, the colonies themselves vary significantly in size depending on the species and growth form.12

Colony sizes range from minimal to quite substantial:

Small colonies: Some species, such as those in the genus Monobryozoon, may consist of little more than a single feeding zooid less than one millimeter in height. Colonies that form crusts often cover only a few square centimeters, while some erect colonies may rise only two to five centimeters.1
Large colonies: Certain species can reach impressive dimensions. For example, colonies of the European Pentapora can reach one meter (3.3 feet) or more in circumference. Additionally, the warm-water gymnolaemate Zoobotryon and the freshwater phylactolaemate Pectinatella can produce masses that reach approximately 0.5 meters (about 20 inches) across.12

These colonies are composed of numerous asexually budded zooids that remain interconnected, allowing the colony to function as an integrated organism.13