Huge swarms of these medusae, inhabitants of Jellyfish Lake, have symbiotic algae. The medusae swim back and forth across the lake to stay in the sun as long as possible. Their nematocysts have lost all their potency.
Better to call these beautiful creatures Medusae echoing the Medusa of Greek Mythology. The streaming tentacles, laden with nematocysts, do suggest the hissing serpents of Medusa's hair. Interestingly, these medusae arise, budded off from tiny polyps hidden in the substrate. Diam. 26 cm./Depth 5m
This solitary cup coral, 20 mm, is one of the few 'true' coral species living along the California coast. These carnivorous polyps live in calcium carbonate cups. The stinging structures, nematocysts, can be seen as white beads on the translucent tentacles. Depth 15 m
This view shows the tiny, extended, feeding polyps that are surrounded by defensive tentacles especially rich in nematocysts. Reproductive structures are enclosed in the swollen orange corbula. From a floating dock, Monterey Harbor.