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DORIS recommends our site’s innovative, playful and interactive approach for taking your first steps in underwater biology.
DORIS is the reference website for underwater biology. It aims to record, illustrate and describe as many common and rare species as possible that can be seen while diving or along the shore in mainland and overseas French waters.
In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Indian Ocean · Pacific Ocean · Caribbean Sea
In calm seas, Venus’ girdle offers a fascinating sight with its long transparent ribbon shimmering with iridescent reflections. This pelagic species, living in open water, catches small planktonic prey and contributes to the balance of marine food chains.
Habitat
Open water
Depth
1-10 m
Group
Plankton
Role
Predator
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WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Venus’ girdle is a jelly-like organism with a very elongated, ribbon-shaped body, sometimes slightly flattened. Its transparency reveals subtle bluish, pink or violet reflections.Rows of beating cilia along its body produce striking iridescent effects when they reflect light. It can reach a considerable length while remaining extremely fragile.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
A pelagic species, it lives in open water and drifts with the currents.It is most often found near the surface, but can also occur at different depths in the water column.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
It feeds on small planktonic organisms, particularly crustaceans and larvae.To catch prey, it uses sticky cells that immobilise it before carrying it towards the mouth in the centre of the body.
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After recognising a marine species, watch it in its environment in the diving videos. Articles and learning paths help you understand its habitat and its relationships with other organisms; games help you remember your discoveries.