DSC_4880 'Lions mane' jellyfish (Desmonema gaudichaudi) are named for their red-gold colour, and mass of hair-like tentacles. This one is a cold-water circumantarctic species. Pelagic, but occurs in inshore waters. Another lion's mane, found in more temperate NZ waters, can grow 2m in diameter, with tentacles rumoured to reach 60m long! Big Glory Bay, Stewart Island *
DSC_3148 Sea gooseberry (Pleurobrachia australis) a Ctenophore, or 'comb jelly', differing from similar species, by having a funnel-shaped collar around the mouth, and a narrow gastric canal. The two long contractile tentacles may extend several times the length of the body. Pelagic, oceanic in near surface waters less than 30 m deep, and sometimes appearing in Otago Harbour. Wellers Rock *
DSC_3130 Sea gooseberry (Pleurobrachia australis) a Ctenophore, or 'comb jelly', differing from similar species, by having a funnel-shaped collar around the mouth, and a narrow gastric canal. The two long contractile tentacles may extend several times the length of the body. Pelagic, oceanic in near surface waters less than 30 m deep, and sometimes appearing in Otago Harbour. Wellers Rock
