CNIDARIA : CAPITATA : CorymorphidaeSEA ANEMONES AND HYDROIDS

Corymorpha nutans M Sars, 1835


Corymorpha nutans

Description: The polyp and stem of this solitary hydroid are usually translucent white or pale pink in colour, and the stem has lines that run longitudinally from the base to where it joins the polyp. The polyp size is relatively large and bends over towards one side, this feature is responsible for the hydroid's name (nutans is Latin for nodding). Typically there are 30 to 40 long, thin tentacles that surround approximately 80 shorter, finer ones. Overall height 80-100mm, diameter of the polyp and tentacles about 20mm.

Habitat: This hydroid is usually found in sandy or gravel sediments in depths of 5m to 25m. It is rather sporadic in its occurrence and may be common in an area in one year and not another.

Ecology: The rare nudibranch Cumanotus beaumonti feeds on this hydroid.

Distribution: This species is common throughout the British Isles, and extends northwards as far as Norway and south to the Mediterranean Sea.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other hydroid from the British Isles.

Key Identification Features:

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database



 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Corymorpha nutans M Sars, 1835. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D1210 Accessed on 2025-02-10

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