Common Siphonophore

Nanomia bijuga, like other siphonophores, is made up of genetically identical but highly specialized zooids, arranged in an elongate colony structure. The zooids' functions encompass prey capture, propulsion, and reproduction, all orchestrated within a translucent or transparent body, aiding in camouflage amidst its oceanic habitat. The organism is composed of two main body segments: the nectosome on the anterior end and the siphosome as the posterior. The nectosome contains a gas-filled pneumatophore at its end as well as nectophores, bell-shaped structures that assist in locomotion. The siphosome contains zooids specialized for feeding, digestion, reproduction, and protection. These zooids are organized in repeating sequences called cormidia. Each cormidium contains one feeding zooid, the gastrozooid, with multiples of the other zooid types.

Nanomia bijuga is widely distributed across all major oceans of the world except the Antarctic Ocean. A few of its sighted locations are the Monterey Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Sagami Bay of Japan the Hansa Bay of Papua New Guinea, and the Bantry Bay of Ireland.