Barrel Jellyfish
Rhizostoma pulmo
Asian moon jelly
Aurelia coerulea
About
The Asian moon jelly is a moon jelly native to the seas off Japan, China, Korea and California, as well as the Mediterranean and other temperate seas. It is particularly abundant in sheltered places and around artificial structures, and its very high reproductive rate can cause blooms.
Also known as: aurelia coerulea, asian moon jellyfish, common moon jelly, moon jellyfish
- Length
- 21 cm
Appearance
Its bell reaches about 21 cm across.
Habitat
Mainly found in culture ponds, lagoons, marinas and around artificial reefs; its polyps settle on cold, shady artificial structures.
Behaviour
It is a weak swimmer. Its polyps tolerate low oxygen better than many competitors, so in oxygen-poor coastal water its numbers can increase while others decline. It can switch between two life cycles depending on conditions.
Diet
Polyps and young jellies eat ciliates; adult medusae prey on larger zooplankton.
Did you know?
Blooms of this jellyfish have clogged the cooling-water intakes of nuclear power plants.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
