The Japanese sea nettle (Chrysaora melanaster), also called a northern sea nettle or brown jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. (It is sometimes referred to as a Pacific sea nettle, but this name is also used for Chrysaora fuscescens; the name "Japanese Sea Nettle" is also used for Chrysaora pacifica.[1] This jelly's medusa can reach 60 centimeters in length with tentacles growing up to three meters.[2][3] It dwells at depths of up to 100 meters, where it feeds on copepods, larvaceans, small fish, large zooplankton, and other jellies.[3] The sting is mild, although can cause serious skin irritation and burning.[4]
Northern Sea Nettle in captivity at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD
[edit] References
- ^ Shedd Aquarium, Fact Sheet: Japanese Sea Nettle, accessed January 2012.
- ^ CNET news, Chrysaora melanaster, from "Census of Marine Life reveals hidden life in oceans" article (October 5, 2010).
- ^ a b Census of Marine Life Arctic Ocean Diversity project, Sea Nettle: Chrysaora melanaster (August 20, 2010).
- ^ National Aquarium in Baltimore, Jellies Invasion: Explore Online, accessed January 2012.
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