Nanomia bijuga, first described by Stefano Delle Chiaje in 1844 and originally named Physsophora bijuga, is a species of mesopelagic siphonophore in the family Agalmatidae[1] As with all members of the siphonophorae order, it is a colonial organism composed of individual zooids.[2]N. bijuga has a fairly broad distribution, and has been observed in the coastal waters off of North America and Europe.[3] The species has been found to occupy both epipelagic and mesopelagic depths.[4] They utilize specialized swimming zooids for both propulsion and escape behaviors.[5] Similar to other siphonophores, Nanomia bijuga employ stinging tentacles for hunting and defense.[2] They primarily feed on small crustaceans, especially krill.[6][7]
^Robison BH, Reisenbichler KR, Sherlock RE, Silguero JM, Chavez FP (August 1998). "Seasonal abundance of the siphonophore, Nanomia bijuga, in Monterey Bay". Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 45 (8–9): 1741–1751. Bibcode:1998DSRII..45.1741R. doi:10.1016/S0967-0645(98)80015-5.