Chrysaora Hysoscella

 – Compass Jellyfish –

 

Description:

The compass jellyfish has a saucer-shaped bell, with 32 semi-circular lobes around the fringe, each one with a brown spot. Diameter is up to 30 cm. Its 24 tentacles are arranged in eight groups of three. It is usually yellowish white, with some brown.

Behaviour:

The species is hermaphroditic, which in this case means that males become females after sperm is released. Fertilisation occurs inside the female and free swimming larvae are released into the water at the end of summer. They settle and remain as polyps until spring, when they asexually produce tiny jellyfish maturing by the following summer.

Habitat:

Coastal waters, usually between the depths of 0 and 30 m.

Distribution:

Coastal waters of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Food:

Planktonic animals.