Clytia islandica

Sue Daly Is anyone else seeing these little critters, White Cross Hydromedusa, Staurophora mertensi? We have quite a few down here in Sark. I can't find out much about them but it seems they are more of an arctic species. I know the sea's a bit cold this year but…..!

Marco Faasse How large are they? If not larger than about 2 cm they could be Eucheilota maculata. Medusae of this species have a dark spot (maculata) on each of the 4 sides between the gonads. Are these visible on one of your photos? In fact there are several similar species, but the spots are diagnostic for E. maculata.

Fiona Crouch Yep saw loads yesterday around Plymouth. Keith Hiscock and I were just talking about them today but he couldn't remember the name. Well think it was these.

Sue Daly They were about 4cm across

Marco Faasse Most hydromedusae don't grow that large. Clytia islandica is a possibility; all characters seem to be OK. Are the lips of the stomach crenulate? Clytia hemisphaerica, C. gracilis and Lovenella clausa stay significantly smaller and should have less tentacles.

Keith Hiscock I will print-out your pic. Sue and show it to our planktonologists. Yesterday, they identified a very poor pic that I took of the little 2-3cm across medusae that we are getting loads of here as Cosmetina pilosella.

Erling Svensen Could it be Staurophora mertensi? http://www.oceaneyephoto.com/photo_5352512.html

Penny Martin We have been seeing thousands around in Orkney for about 6 weeks in lots of different places round the islands ...... all sizes from about 10 mm upwards ... I have lots of photos ( see Snorkel Orkney) usually with Sarsia tubulosa and pleurobrachia pileus