This medusa, about 35 cm. high, was photographed at 7 m. depth. The egg-yolk, orange feeding lobes hang below the light yellow gonads and the gut. These medusae may occur offshore in huge numbers where they prey on other gelatinous organisms and on crustaceans which they entrap in their venormous tentacles.
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
