Cnidarians
Pacific Sea Nettle
Authors: Stephanie Hurst & Chelsea Dinh Scientific name: Chrysaora fuscescens Size: Bell diameter up to 17.7inches (45cm) Identifying features: The Pacific Sea Nettle has a bell with a diameter of approximately 17.7 inches (45 cm), and oral arms which range...
Fried Egg Jellyfish
Author: Rebecca Wilkinson Common names: Fried Egg Jellyfish, Egg-Yoke Jellyfish Scientific name: Phacellophora camtschatica Identifying Features: The Fried Egg Jellyfish gets its name from its appearance. Its bell, measuring up to 60cm (24 inches) across, is white...
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
Author: Jamie Lenihan Scientific Name: Cyanea capillata Identifying Features: The Lion’s Mane jellyfish is one of the most easily identifiable varieties of jellyfish. At first glance, you can often recognize one of these jellies by their very large bell size,...
Moon Jellyfish
Author: James Murray Illustrations: by Moloud Mazaheri Scientific name: Aurelia labiata Size range: 25-40cm (9,8-15.8in) Identifying Features: The Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia labiata) ranges from 25 to 40 cm (9.8 to 15.8 in) in diameter and can be easily recognized by...
Red-eyed Medusa
Author: Anouk Mock Photos: D. Young Common name: Red-eyed Medusa, Red-eyed jelly, Bell medusa, Penicillate jellyfish Scientific name: Polyorchis penicillatus Identification: The Red-eyed Medusa is a hydrozoan jellyfish. Its size range is 2-5 cm. At the lower rim...
Crystal Jellyfish
Crystal Jellyfish Author: Julia Traill Scientific name: Aequorea victoria Size: Bell Diameter can be up to 25cm, though the size of this jellyfish can vary depending on where it is found. Identifying Features: They have many radial canals with more than one-hundred...
Gonionemus vertens
The Clinging Jellyfish Authors: Solace and Zaijha Photos by D. Young Scientific name: Gonionemus vertens Size: bell is 1.5 to 2.5cm in diameter Gonionemus vertens, also known as the Clinging Jellyfish, is an invasive species in many oceans. The medusae found in the...
Sarsia spp.
Sarsia spp. Author: Bridget Laver Size: bell is 6-20mm tall. Features: The Sarsia jellyfish has a bell height of 6mm – 20mm that is marked with 4 tentacles and 4 very narrow radial canals. At the base of each tentacle is a distinct ocelli. It is transparent and...
Cross Jellyfish
Authors: Kelsey Baker and Danielle Boutcher Scientific name: Mitrocoma cellularia Size range: to 90mm in diameter. Authors: Kelsey Baker and Danielle Boutcher Identifying features: The Cross Jellyfish (Mitrocoma cellularia) may grow to 90mm in diameter. They have up...
Leuckartiara sp.
Leuckartiara spp. Author: D. Young Common Name: A member in the family Pandeidae within the order Anthomedusae of the subclass Hydromedusae. Scientific Name: Leuckartiara sp. Total length of specimen in photo is 3cm (30mm).
Catablema nodulosa
Author: Erin Henley Scientific name: Catablema nodulosa Size: up to 20mm wide. Identifying features: This species has a very distinct bell in the shape of a ball. Catablema nodulosa is a relatively newly discovered jelly fish in the class Hydrozoa. It is easily...
Hanging Stomach Jellyfish
Author: Julia Traill Scientific name: Stomotoca atra Size: 25mm wide bell Distribution: The Bering Sea to Southern California. Commonly seen in the summer in Puget Sound, British Columbia, and Alaska. This hydromedusa is characterized by a long manubrium that hangs...
Nanomia bijuga
Scientific Name: Nanomia bijuga Size Range: Up to 30cm in total length Nanomia bijuga belongs to the order Physonecta within the subclass Siphonophorae within the class Hydrozoa. It is a predator that represents a colony of many genetically identical individuals...
Green Burrowing Anemone
Author: Elliot Scott-Bigsby Common Names: Burrowing Green Anemone, Moonglow Anemone Scientific name: Anthopleura artemisia Size: It is up to 2" (5cm) diameter. The column is rarely seen as it is buried beneath sand and shells. Identifying features: The...
Brooding Anemone
Author: Maeve Leduc Common name: Brooding Anemone, Lisbeth's Brooding Anemone Scientific name: Epiactis lisbethae Size range: 2-3" (5 to 8 cm) diameter, and 1.5" (4cm) high. Identifying Features: Brooding Anemone are often green, brown, red, or pink. It is very...
Painted Anemone
Authors: Michael Adams and Daniel Barnaby Scientific Name: Urticina grebelnyi Identifying Features: Urticina grebelnyi is a large anemone that can be up to 30cm (12inches) tall and and 20cm (8 inches) wide. They vary widely in colour and often have green to light...
Short Plumose Anemone
Author: Fraser Evans Common Names: Short Plumose Anemone, Plumose Anemone, Fluffy Anemone, Frilled Anemone Scientific Name: Metridium senile Size: Roughly 10cm (4 inches) Identifying Features: The Plumose Anemone is usually short, from about 2 inches to 4 inches,...
Orange Sea Pen
Author: Marissa Toner Scientific Name: Ptilosarcus gurneyi Size Range: up to 48cm (19 inches) tall Identifying Features: Sea Pens are given their name based on their shape since they appear like an old-fashioned feather quill used for writing. It is a colonial...