Coelenterate Collection (page 7)

Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica), close-up. This animal is usually found attached to objects such as coral boulders

Sea pens (Virgularia sp.). The sea pen is a colonial organism related to sea feathers. Photographed in Bali, Indonesia

Hard coral damage caused by crown of thorn starfish (Acanthaster planci). These predators eat the polyps and tissues of the coral leaving behind the white carbonate skeleton

Ephyra stage of Aurelia jellyfish
Ephyra stage of an Aurelia jellyfish, light micrograph. This ephyra is a life stage of the common jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). The ephyra has eight arms, the tips of which are called lappets

Coral shrimp (Vir philippinensis) on the bubble- covered tentacles of a bubble coral (Pterogyra sinuosa). This shrimp is found exclusively amongst the tentacles and bubbles of this coral

Aceol flatworms (Wamiona sp.) on mushroom coral (family Fungiidae). The flatworms are orange and the coral is white. Flatworms are found in marine, freshwater and damp terrestrial environments

Beadlet anemones (Actinia equine) hanging from a rock at low tide. The anemones tentacles have been retracted. The beadlet anemone feeds on small crustaceans that it catches with its stinging

Solitary coral
Individual solitary coral (Heterocyathus aequicostatus) on a sea floor. Solitary coral are not colonial. They are individual, disk-shaped polyps which are able to move

Aceol flatworm (Wamiona sp. )
Aceol flatworm (Wamiona sp.) infesting bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa). The flatworms are orange and the bubble coral is white

Elephant skin coral (Pachyseris sp. )
Elephant skin coral (Pachyseris sp.). Photographed off Maratua Island, in the Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia

Corals on the seabed. Corals are tiny organisms that build tough structures around themselves for protection and support. Photographed off the San Blas Islands of Panama, in the Caribbean Sea

Soft coral polyps (Dendronephthya sp.) opened out and feeding. Soft corals (octocorals) are colonies of tiny organisms (polyps)

Coral polyps (Physogyra sp.), close-up. The central mouth of each polyp is surrounded by a ring of tentacles which are normally retracted during the day

Red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis) in a giant kelp forest. A gorgonian is a colonial cnidarian related to corals. The feathery white bodies on the gorgonian are the feeding tentacles of the tiny

Staghorn coral (Acropora sp.). This delicate coral is growing in the lee side of an island that provides shelter from waves and strong currents which would otherwise damage its fragile branches

Coral polyp mouth. Close-up of the mouth (pink, centre) of a hard coral polyp (class Anthozoa). This marine invertebrate uses its tentacles (not clearly seen) to catch plankton from the water

Sea fan and seahorses, X-ray
Sea fan coral. Coloured composite X-ray of two seahorses above a sea fan, or gorgonian. Sea fans are coral-like organisms that live in a large colony

Comb jelly attached to a starfish
Comb jelly (Coeloplana astericola, red and white) attached to the arm of a luzon starfish (Echinaster luzonicus). Photographed off Rinca, Indonesia

Venuss girdle, a type of comb jellyfish
Venuss Girdle. Macrophotograph of a coiled, ribbon-like Venuss Girdle or Sea Sword, Cestus veneris, appearing glassy-blue. C. veneris is a comb jellyfish which feeds on plankton

Nomadic jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica) near the waters surface. It has a powerful sting that is painful but not fatal to humans

Arabian corals, historical artwork, 1876
Arabian corals. Historical artwork by Ernst Haeckel, published in El-Tur in 1876. El-Tur was a lavishly-produced travel report, dedicated to the Khedive of Egypt

Single hard coral colony (Acropora sp.) growing in an area devastated by dynamite fishing. Home-made explosives, often made from World War Two munitions

Bleached soft coral. The colour in the coral is lost due to the expulsion of symbiotic unicellular algae called zooxanthellae that live within its tissues

Colonial anemone (Nemantus annamensis) attached to a gorgonian sea fan (Gorgonia sp.). Also referred to as the Gorgonian wrapper anemone

Hard coral colony (Diploastrea sp.). Photographed in Mios Befondi, West Papua in Indonesia, Asia

Dahlia anemone (Urticina felina). The dahlia anemone inhabits north Atlantic waters. It feeds on fish and crustaceans which are caught and stung by its tentacles

Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) at the waters surface. This organism is a colony composed of many specialised polyps, groups of which form its structures

Soft coral polyps (Clavularia sp. )
Soft coral polyps (Clavularia sp.). This coral has stinging cells on its tentacles that kill any organisms within the plankton it feeds

Campanularia hydrozoan, light micrograph
Campanularia hydrozoan. Polarised light micrograph of a hydroid colony of Campanularia polyps. The branches of the stem give rise to either feeding polyps (hydranths)

Snakelocks anemones (Anemonia sulcata) completely filling a small rock pool. Sea anemones catch their prey by means of stinging tentacles. The tentacles also act as a deterrent to predation

Hydroid (Campanularia flexuosa), LM
Hydroid (Campanularia flexuosa). Light micrograph (LM) of a colonial hydroid, showing gonozooid (reproducing) and gastrozooid (feeding) polyps, attached to a central stolon (stalk)

Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), artwork. This species of jellyfish, also known as the sea wasp, belongs to the cubozoa order of invertebrates

Aggregating anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima). This species of sea anemone is also known as clonal anemone and can be found on rocky, tide swept shores

Beadlet anemone (Actinia equina) of the strawberry variety, with its tentacles retracted. Anemones have an array of tentacles which act as a defence mechanism and a means of capturing plankton

Comb jelly feeding on a starfish
Comb jellies (Coeloplana astericola, red and white) attached to a luzon starfish (Echinaster luzonicus). Photographed in Bali, Indonesia

Freshwater Hydra, light micrograph
Freshwater Hydra. Dark-field light micrograph of a freshwater Hydra on a leaf of Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis). The Hydra is undergoing asexual reproduction by budding off a new individual

Turbinaria coral
Turbinaria (Turbinaria cf. frondens). Photographed in the Manokwari harbour, West Papua in Indonesia, Asia

Dendronephthya soft coral
Soft coral. Close-up of the polyps (red) and spicules (white) of a Dendronephthya sp. soft coral. Each polyp is a single organism, which filters plankton from the water using its tentacles

Brown hydra (Hydra attenuata). Temporary mount of a drop of pond water with a brown hydra. It has tentacles loaded with stinging cells or nematocysts which are discharged into the body of their prey

Porpita umbela hydrozoan, light micrograph. This is a small specimen of this colonial marine organism, which consists of a collection of specialised polyps

Beadlet anemone with young
Beadlet anemone (Actinia equina) of the strawberry variety, with its tentacles retracted. The smaller anemone is a baby. The blue organism with a yellow star is a sea squirt

Fluorescing coral

Gem anemone, light micrograph
Gem anemone. Light micrograph of a transverse section through the body of a gem anemone (Bunodactis verrucosa). This section has passed through the pharynx (stomodaeum) region

Jellyfish, 1895. Drawing of an assortment of jellyfishes. From top: white Moon jelly (Aurelia aurita), long-tentacled Sea Nettle jelly (Chrysaora sp.), box-shaped Box jelly (Carybdea marsupialis)

Anemone shrimp in its anemone
Anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) in its host sea anemone (Cryptodendrum adhaesivum). This shrimp has a symbiotic association with the anemone

Obelia hydrozoan medusa, light micrograph
Obelia hydrozoan medusa. Dark-field light micrograph of a medusa (young polyp) from the Obelia geniculata hydroid. The circular shallow semi-bell has solid tentacles on the rim

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Discover the mesmerizing world of coelenterates, where beauty and danger intertwine. From the vibrant Caiman crocodilus crocodilus to the elusive Anilius scytale, these creatures captivate with their unique characteristics. Dive into the depths and encounter the enchanting Physalia pelagica, commonly known as Portuguese-man-of-war, floating gracefully in the ocean currents. Marvel at the delicate Sea fan's intricate structure revealed through an X-ray lens, reminiscent of a coral gallery from 1895. Travel to Sri Lanka's tea estates and witness nature's harmony as coelenterates thrive alongside lush landscapes. Encounter Moon jellyfish gliding effortlessly through azure waters while Butterflyfish and purple anthias fish add bursts of color to this underwater paradise. Spot False clown anemonefish playfully darting around their homes amidst swaying corals. Observe a pregnant pygmy seahorse carrying new life within its tiny frame or catch a glimpse of Denises pygmy seahorse camouflaging perfectly among coral branches. Study a jellyfish model of Physalia pelagica, unraveling its mysteries without fear of stings. Coelenterates invite us to explore their diverse realm; they are both captivating and fragile beings that remind us of nature's wonders.