Look carefully for this diminutive hydromedusa.  Despite being among the most abundant jellies of the Pacific Northwest, its inconspicuous nature makes it easy to overlook.  The transparent bell is up to 2 cm in diameter, with 4 radial canals.  Each canal holds a whitish or yellowish gonad along the half closest to the bell margin.  Some individuals have a black pigment band surrounding the bell margin.  Up to 65 fine tentacles line the margin.  The small stomach has 4 ruffled lips and has a pale yellowish or brown color.  Clytia is a coastal species and is released by the hydroids from spring through early fall.  It's a common member of the nearshore gelatinous fauna from the Bering Sea south to Oregon.  You may see individuals bearing 1 or 2 parasitic anemones (Peachia).   

All photographs © David Wrobel and may not be used or copied without permission!

[ Aegina ] [ Aequorea ] [ Aglauropsis ] [ Amphinema ] [ Annatiara ] [ Catablema ] [ Aglantha ] [ Benthocodon ] [ Cladonema ] [ Clytia ] [ Colobonema ] [ Craspedacusta ] [ Crossota ] [ Euphysa ] [ Gonionemus ] [ Foersteria ] [ Eutonina ] [ Geryonia ] [ Halicreas ] [ Leuckartiara ] [ Haliscera ] [ Liriope ] [ Maeotias ] [ Melicertum ] [ Mitrocoma ] [ Modeeria ] [ Neoturris ] [ Pantachogon ] [ Pegantha ] [ Polyorchis ] [ Ptychogastria ] [ Ptychogena ] [ Sarsia ] [ Scrippsia ] [ Solmaris ] [ Stomotoca ] [ Vallentinia ] [ Velella ]