1. Jellies (Jellyfish) 01/17/13
Jellyfish are cnidarians. Because they are not fish, they are sometimes referred to as jellies. Jellies have soft bodies made up mostly of water. They often have venomous tentacles (that can be long or short) that are used to capture prey in the ocean water.
Some jellyfish eat plankton and others eat fish and some even eat other jellies. 1

2. Moon Jelly
01/17/13
The moon jelly has short tentacles that it uses to capture tiny plankton from the water. 2

3. 01/17/13
Comb Jelly
The comb jelly has rows of tiny comb-like cilia along its body.
This animal is a weak swimmer and is usually at the mercy of ocean currents. 3

4. 01/17/13
By-the-wind Sailor
This jellyfish’s stiff sail catches wind at the surface of the water--like a sailboat. Its movement is at the mercy of ocean currents and wind. 4

5. 01/17/13
Nomura’s Jelly
These are some of the biggest jellyfish in the world– they live in Asia.
They often get caught in fishing nets, causing lots of trouble for fishermen 5

6. Brown Sea Nettle Jelly 01/17/13
This is a jellyfish that sometimes can be found right here in Charleston! It’s stingers can cause irritation and pain. 6

7. 01/17/13
Red Eye Medusa
This jellyfish is also found in Charleston. It is often found in bays and harbors and propels itself by closing and opening its bell, which pushes water out, shooting it forward. (Note: though jellies can propel themselves, they are considered weak swimmers, still at the mercy of currents.) The red spots are sensitive to light. 7

8. Arctic Lion’s Mane Jelly
01/17/13
Arctic Lion’s Mane Jelly
The lion’s mane jellyfish is the largest cnidarian in the world!
It uses its tentacles to capture fish and even other jellyfish!
Up to 120 feet long, 7 feet wide 8

9. 01/17/13
Anemones NOT Jellies—but related. Why do you think they are in the same group as jellies?
Sea anemones are cnidarians too! They have sticky tentacles they use to capture prey.
They are different than jellies because instead of floating in the water, they stick themselves to hard surfaces. Like jellies, they have stinging cells and a single opening (that serves as mouth and anus).
Sea anemones are omnivores– they will eat almost anything that comes across their tentacles. 9

10. 01/17/13
Giant Green Anemone
This anemone is green because it has a type of algae in its body which photosynthesizes to produce food from sunlight. So this anemone is an animal with algae growing inside it (similar to corals with algae inside them)! The anemone itself eats small animals and pieces of algae that stick to its tentacles.
These animals can be found in tidepools near Charleston. 10

11. Brooding Anemone Baby anemone 01/17/13
This anemone keeps its babies on itself, at the base of its tentacles.
Baby anemone 11

12. Pink-tipped Anemone 01/17/13 12 12

13. Merten's carpet sea anemone
01/17/13
Merten's carpet sea anemone
This is a tropical anemone that is a very different shape than the round anemones we saw earlier. 13