PHYLUM: Cnidaria
CLASS: Scyphozoa
SPECIES: Pelagia colorata
COMMON NAME: Purple Jellyfish
Pelagia is a large pelagic, or open-ocean, jelly that often drifts in near shore where it can be seen by divers, especially in late summer and fall. The bell is white with reddish-purple radiating bands. It has eight long tentacles that are suspended from the margin of the bell, and long oral arms hanging down from the center. The tentacles can reach a length of 30ft. (9m). The specimen in this picture is typical of the individuals that make it into Monterey Bay. The tentacles and oral arms are almost gone, torn off in it's time close to shore.
Small animals such as juvenile crabs and fish often take shelter in the bell of this large species. If you encounter one, look under it and see if you can spot any hitch-hikers. Be careful, though. Pelagia can give you a nasty sting.
A paticularly good place to see these guys is The Pinnacles. After anchoring your boat, look over the side for a few minutes to see if you can spot any. If there are any, there are often quite a few.