Jelly ID please

[aviddiver.her]

This guy was around 1"-2" in size and photographed in Mendocino CA. Does anyone know what kind of jelly it is?

[Jan K]

You got a beautiful shot of Red Eye Medusa, Polyorchis penicillatus

[Dusty2]

Super photo! That's a real winner.

[billandwende]

Wow nice shot. I love jellys.

[nwscubamom]

Nancy, that's beautiful!!! Yes, Red Eye Medusa. Stunning shot! They're hard to get.

- Janna

[dwashbur]

That is an amazing shot!!!!!

[aviddiver.her]

Wow, thanks for all of the compliments. I should admit it took quite a bit of editing to get it looking good.

I'm surprised it is the Red Eye Medusa. I was told the photo below is a Red Eye Medusa. The only thing I see the same between the two is their size and the red dots. Do they really vary that much in appearance? Or do I have the wrong ID on this one:

[Jan K]

You got it right, they retract their tentacles as do many of other jellies. Lion's Mane is the extreme example in these waters I seen so far..

[aviddiver.her]

Thanks.
Does retraction cause the yellow color or would it stay yellow even if it extended it's tentacles?
If a small jelly has the red dots can I safely assume it is a Red Eye Medusa?

[Grateful Diver]

Nancy that's a beautiful shot! I can't answer all your questions, but I have seen them come in different colors (red, yellow, and white) ... besides the red dots, the "angel" on the inside is also something they all have in common.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[aviddiver.her]

Thanks Bob! Several other jellies were hanging out with this Red eye but they don't seem to have red eyes or an angel inside. So I guess this one is something else?