N. aurea is transparent with yellow and brown spots located around the gonads.

[3] N. aurea can reproduce either asexually by strobilation or sexually.

[5] Strobilation can be induced to occur when food is abundant.

In polyps, a large availability of food leads to strobilation if it is not regulated.

[6] N. aurea species usually take more than 20 weeks to begin the differentiation and development of reproductive organs.