Redeye Medusa, Polyorchis penicillatus

The Red-eye Medusa used to be a  relatively common jelly. But over the past decade I have come across very few in the coves I frequent the most — perhaps this is due to the demise of their habitat. They tend to feed in the lower benthic area bouncing off the eelgrass and algae, thereby disturbing their prey enough to be able to snatch it up with their many tentacles (up to 160).  Prey includes phyto and zooplankton, small crustaceans and worms.  The Red-eye Medusa is easily identified by the light sensitive red eye-spots that line the margins of its bell. The University of Oregon provides an excellent description of this species.  For more thorough information about the class Hydromedusae please see hydroid expert Claudia Mills’ publication on Hydromedusae.