Cnidaria include the familiar large scyphozan jellyfish but also many tiny species of hydrozoan jellyfish. Cnidaria have stinging cells with tiny venom-filled harpoons for defense and catching prey. Many cnidaria have a bottom-dwelling stage. Some hydrozoan species do not have a jellyfish stage but a free-floating “actinula” larva.
Juvenile (ephyra) of moon jellyfish Aurelia, Veerse Meer, NLJellyfish ephyra, Cerbère, MediterraneanObelia hydromedusa with caught copepod nauplius, Grevelingen, NLObelia hydromedusa, Grevelingen, NLObelia hydromedusa, Grevelingen, NLSarsia tubulosa, Wadden Sea, NL.Sarsia tubulosa, Wadden Sea, NL.Sarsia gemmifera hydromedusa with caught copepod, North Sea (Neeltje Jans), NL.Rathkea octopunctata hydromedusa with caught copepod, Wadden sea, NLRathkea octopunctata hydromedusa with caught copepod, Wadden sea, NLRathkea octopunctata hydromedusa, Wadden sea, NLActinula larva of a hydroid, Grevelingen, NLActinula larva of a hydroid, Grevelingen, NLMelicertum octocostatum hydromedusa, central North SeaMelicertum octocostatum hydromedusa, central North SeaLeuckartiara octona hydromedusa, southern North SeaLeuckartiara octona hydromedusa, southern North SeaAglantha digitale hydromedusa, southern North SeaNanomia cara Siphonophores (without nectophores), central North SeaNanomia cara Siphonophores (with loose nectophore), central North SeaNanomia cara Siphonophores (with loose nectophores), central North SeaSiphonophore gastrozoid, Cerbère, MediterraneanSiphonophore gastrozoid, Cerbère, Mediterranean