Skip to main content
Two lobed comb jellies floating with their colorful cilia on display

Lobed comb jelly

Bolinopsis microptera

On view
Into the Deep
Animal type
Invertebrates
Ecosystem
Deep sea
Relatives
Other comb jellies
Diet
Copepods, krill, and other small zooplankton
Range
Worldwide from the surface to 3,300 feet (1,000 m)
Size
Up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length and 2 inches (5 cm) width

Meet the lobed comb jelly

To catch a meal, this comb jelly stretches out two broad lobes. Sticky mucus on each lobe traps prey, then rows of tiny hairs called cilia sweep the food to the jelly’s waiting mouth.

Up next in deep sea

Animal

Winged comb jelly

As this comb jelly swims through the midwater, drifting plankton smack into its sticky tentacles and become a…

Keep exploring

Animal

Giant siphonophore

When startled, the giant siphonophore glows with bright blue light.

Animal

Deep-sea anglerfish

The "fishing rod" growing from the female anglerfish's snout ends in a glowing blob of light.

Animal

Giant isopod

The giant isopod roams the deep seafloor feasting on fish carcasses and other debris that fall from above.