Fish of the Day

Happy Thursday everyone!

This Thursday we are focusing on Moon Jellies!

Moon Jellies, or Aurelia Aurita are well neon for being one of the most common jellyfish in the entire world. This is due to their highly adapted ability for many different kinds of water. They can be found in water ranging from temperatures of 43-88 degrees. Even found in a large number of water salinities going as low as one that was 6 parts to a thousand.

Within moon jellies they can be found feeding on a huge number of things. Although relying predominantly on zooplankton they can also be found eating crustaceans, various sea worms, mollusks, fish eggs, and even other jellyfish. However, on the other side of that Moon jellies due to their high abundance are also very highly preyed on. Being eaten by animals such as the ocean sunfish, sea turtles, various sea birds, and humans on some occasions.

The life cycle of jellyfish is highly interesting within its own and remains the same in moon jellies. They start their life as a small planula, being stuck onto their mothers inner belly until they fall to the sea floor when they reach the second stage of life, called polyp. From there they remain as small oval shaped discs live mostly stationary lives until they grow larger. This is when they reach the following stages known as strobila and ephyra following swiftly behind. These stages are when the jellyfish really comes into itself and develops its stinging cells and basic shape. Then finally, they reach the adult level. Known as medusa this is the form of the moon jelly that we know best.

Have a good Thursday everyone! And before you leave, I leave with you a wonderful gift. I have come to find the Monterey Bay Aquarium has a live cam set on the moon jellies, which means that you can watch them live from any device!