Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs

Hong Kong Stamps & Minisheet FDCs
Name: Jellyfish
Date of Issue: 12 June 2008

Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

Denominations:
$1.40: Flower Hat Jelly (Olindias formosa)
This rare species of jellyfish has multicoloured tentacles hanging from a translucent, pinstriped bell. Being semi-benthic, they sometimes stay on the sea floor. Feeding on small fish in the sea, they can grow up to 15 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Flower Hat Jellies occur in Brazil, Argentina and the deep ocean waters off the coast of southern Japan.

$1.80: Octopus Jelly
Octopus Jellies have 8 trailing oral arms. They move up at daytime to allow the symbiotic algae on their bells to photosynthesise and remain in deeper zones after sunset. Feeding on microplankton and nutrients from algae, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Octopus Jellies occur in Indo-Pacific waters.

$2.40: Brown Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

$2.50: Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
The Moon Jelly is so named because of its moon-like circular bell. One can tell when they have just taken brine shrimps from the orange tint in the four stomach pouches in their translucent bells. Feeding on microplankton, they can grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Moon Jellies occur in tropical and temperate waters.

$3: Lion's Mane Jelly (Cyanea capillata)
The Lion's Mane Jelly is a highly toxic species. They are named for their trailing tentacles reminiscent of the mane of a lion. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 40 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Lion's Mane Jellies occur in the western Pacific around Japan.

$5: Pacific Sea Nettle
Similar to the Brown Sea Nettle, the Pacific Sea Nettle is equipped with nematocysts which sting. They have dusky brown bells with deep red tentacles. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 1 metre in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Pacific Sea Nettles occur in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

Comment: Obviously! This is a very gorgeous set. I like it very much. I think this set will be the most popular Hong Kong set in 2008.

2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDCs (Complete set & Minisheet)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish Bookelet Sheets FDCs (Special Cancellation)
2008 Hong Kong Jellyfish FDC (Self-Drawing FDC)