Silicoflagellates are part of a limited category of marine planktonic life forms characterized by their siliceous skeletons, made up of opaline rods. These cells generally fall within the size range of 20 to 80 μm. Silicoflagellates exhibit the capacity to be both autotrophic and heterotrophic, and they often form associations with blue-green algae. They possess two flagella and fine pseudopodia. However, due to their pigmentation, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and siliceous skeletons, silicoflagellates are typically classified as golden algae or chrysophytes.