Nanomia bijuga

Taxon-Order: 
Siphonophorae

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Distribution: 
Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans; warm and temperate waters.
Habitat: 
To 1800 m depth.
Size: 
Pneumatophore: 3-6 mm; Nectophores: 2-6 mm; Total chain: to 30 cm
Diet: 
Small zooplankton.
Useful Facts or Characters: 

Pneumatophore (gas-filled float) with red pigmented cap.  Some nectophores (swimming bells) inflated and cube-shaped.  Nanomia can contract its tentacles significantly in an escape response.

Natural History: 

One of the most common physonect siphonophores off the west coast of the United States.

References: 

Mapstone, G.M. (2009)  Siphonophora (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of Canadian Pacific Waters. Canadian Science Publishing, NRC Research Press, Ottawa, p103-108.