Blepharisma ciliate. Light microscope footage of ciliate protozoan Blepharisma sp. swimming. This organism has rows of cilia which beat rhythmically allowing locomotion, and wafting particles of food to its mouth. Blepharisma species feed on bacteria, flagellate algae, rotifers, and other ciliates. They have a pinkish colour, caused by the presence of granules of the photosensitive pigment Blepharismin which allows them to detect and avoid light. Filmed with brightfield illumination.