Hydra polyp. Light micrograph of a freshwater coelenterate polyp, Hydra sp, asexually reproducing by budding off a daughter polyp. The anterior of the creature consists of a mouth surrounded by tentacles. The tentacles are used to capture food such as small water fleas and algal cells floating past on the current which are then passed to the mouth. Waste is also eliminated through the mouth. In good feeding conditions the Hydra sp. reproduce asexually , but sexually reproduce by releasing sexual cells into the water when conditions are poor. The Hydra genus is remarkable in its ability to regenerate itself when damaged. Magnification unknown.