These little blue creatures are called ` ` by - the - sea sailors '' ; the scientific name is Velella ##cea . The small - sized fish have a clear , distinctive fin sticking up from a blue , oval body . They first started showing up in California and Oregon . They are now being found on beaches north of Los Angeles .
These little sea creatures are called `` by-the-wind sailors '' ; the scientific name is Velella velella . The palm-sized creatures have a clear , distinctive fin sticking up from a blue , oval body . They first started showing up in Washington and Oregon . They are now being spotted on beaches north of Los Angeles .