Fact Friday

Some cnidarians switch between a polyp and a medusa body form. Corals and anemones only have the polyp stage. Jellyfish, as we think of them, are in the medusa stage, but they have a polyp stage when they are juveniles. Hydrozoans have the opposite: their adult form is a polyp, but they have a juvenile medusa stage.

Photo Credit: KSLOF, Rob Martimbeault

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Fact Friday

August 5, 2022

Surgeonfish

Why is it called a surgeonfish? Surgeonfish get their name from the pair of spines that are as sharp as a scalpel. The spines are usually tucked into a groove in their tail, but if you get too close – watch out!

Photo Credit: Ken Marks