By-the-Wind Sailor (species: Velella velella) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Velella velella
By-the-Wind Sailor


©Barbara Banks: By-the-Wind Sailor (Velella velella) washed up on Mangrove Beach, Lizard Island, Sep 2016. This photo is taken from directly above so the "sail" is not obvious.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Anthoathecata
Family Porpitidae
Genus Velella
Species Velella velella

Colours

    

Distinguishing features

Blue circular or oval-shaped hydroid colonies reaching up to 5 cm in diameter, with a transparent triangular "sail". They float on the open ocean surface and occasionally wash up on beaches.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

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