Porpita porpita, sometime called a blue button, is a floating siphonophore related to the Portuguese man-o-war Physalia physalis. Like man-o-war, they float on the surface and are usually found washed ashore on windward beaches. While they have nematocysts, their sting is not reported to be as powerful as that of its cousin Physalia. The photographed individual was found freshly beached and returned to water for the picture.
Created 20 October 2015