Animal Profiles
Jellyfish and hydrozoans

Man of War Jellyfish

Physalia physalis

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The Portuguese man-of-war is a floating hydrozoan colony rather than a single jellyfish. Its gas-filled float carries specialised feeding and reproductive structures beneath it.

Physalia physalis, the representative described in this account.

Physalia physalis, the representative described in this account.

At a glance

Location
Colonies drift at the surface of warm ocean waters.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Stinging tentacles capture small fish and other drifting animals.

Classification

Common name
Man of War Jellyfish
Browse group
Jellyfish and hydrozoans
Scientific name or taxon
Physalia physalis
Taxon rank
species
Order
Siphonophorae
Family
Physaliidae
Genus
Physalia
Source classification
Hydrozoa

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a colony of specialised animals.
  • A gas-filled float supports it.
  • Tentacles capture small marine prey.

Habitat and range

Colonies drift at the surface of warm ocean waters. Wind and currents determine their movements and sometimes bring them close to shore.

Appearance and adaptations

A gas-filled float rises above the water while long tentacles trail below. Specialised members of the colony perform different jobs, including capturing food, digestion and reproduction.

Diet and behaviour

Stinging tentacles capture small fish and other drifting animals. Feeding structures digest the captured prey. The colony drifts passively rather than swimming under its own power.

Sources

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