Jelly blubber
| Jelly blubber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Jelly blubber in Port Phillip Bay, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Scyphozoa |
| Order: | Rhizostomeae |
| Family: | Catostylidae |
| Genus: | Catostylus |
| Species: | C. mosaicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Catostylus mosaicus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 | |
The jelly blubber (Catostylus mosaicus), also known as the blue blubber jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish from coastal regions in the Indo-Pacific. It is the most commonly encountered jellyfish along the Australian eastern coast and large swarms sometimes appear in estuarine waters.
Description
In Sydney waters, the jelly blubber's large bell is a creamy white or brown colour, but farther north in Australia it is usually blue.[1] The colours are derived from pigment produced by the jellyfish itself (not symbiotic algae, as in some other jellyfish).[2] There is no obvious mouth on the underside, but there are small openings on each arm, through which food is passed to the stomach.[3] The tentacles also have stinging cells that can capture tiny crustaceans and other plankton. It grows to a diameter of 30–45 cm (12–18 in).[3]
The sting can be painful but generally poses no serious risk to humans.
Distribution and habitat
This jellyfish is found in coastal parts of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, it occurs off the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It can also enter intertidal estuaries.[4]
Food
Eats mainly plankton, small fish, some crustaceans, and small particles in the ocean water.
References
- ↑ "Catostylus mosaicus". Julian Rocks. Archived from the original on 2010-06-25.
- ↑ Georgia Aquarium: Blubber jelly. Animal Guide. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- 1 2 "Blubber jelly". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ "Catostylus mosaicus (Quoy & Gaimard)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
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