Description: This comb jelly can reach a height of up to 15 cm but is often encountered in a range of sizes. The body is roughly pear-shaped, with two large oral lobes at the mouth, which are around 1/3 the size of the body. There are eight longitudinal combs of unequal length. These combs are made up of cilia that allow comb jellies to swim, and also give them a characteristic shimmering/rainbow effect. It has two small tentacles. They are almost completely transparent, although some may have a slightly milky appearance.

Habitat: Most commonly seen in the summer months (May-August) floating in the water column down to around 10 m, although can be found in various depths at various times of the year.

Distribution: Recorded from all coasts around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are no other similar looking comb jellies in our waters.

Key Identification Features:

• Pear-shaped body.
• Two large oral flaps.
• Reaches size of 15 cm.
• Eight unequal longitudinal combs made up of cilia that give distinctive shimmer.

Distribution Map from NBN: Bolinopsis infundibulum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Bolinopsis infundibulum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Bolinopsis infundibulum

WoRMS: Bolinopsis infundibulum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Bolinopsis infundibulum (O.F. Müller, 1776). AphiaID: 106393.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Ctenophora; Tentaculata; Lobata; Bolinopsidae; Bolinopsis