Sea Fan Hydroid Choker
$535.00
Delicate, lacy and fierce, the Sea Fan Hydroid choker showcases the fragile, petite beauty of the underwater macro world. Inspired by the little hydroids we only find in obscured recesses of the reef, this necklace reminds us of sea’s dark beauty.
Sea Fan Hydroid
These tiny inhabitants of the dark and secret reef are uncommon and found on cavern ceilings and ledges, often in the dark. Only reaching around 3″ in size, they occur in places such as North and West Pacific Ocean, Indonesia, the Red Sea and Hawaii.
Hydroids are closely related to corals, anemones and jellies, all belong to the Phylum Cnidaria. Hydrozoa is the most diverse group of cnidarians, containing about 3500 species, and they take many different forms. They have polyps which are usually found on the end of stems or along their branches, and often live together as a colony. Some species even produce a jelly-like swimming medusa (which are often confused with jellyfish) as a form of reproduction.
Like all cnidarians, hydroids sting their prey (as well as unsuspecting divers…another good reason not to touch anything underwater!) They employ a stinging capsule called a nematocyst to paralyse prey, then use tentacles located on the polyp to move prey to its mouth. Some larger hydroids prey on fish larvae and copepods, but these little hydroids likely feed on plankton.