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Black Sea Nettle, Chrysaora Achlyos : Natural History The black sea nettle is considered a giant jelly; its distinctive purplish bell can reach over three feet (91 cm) in diameter; its lacy, pinkish oral-arms can reach nearly 20 feet (6 m) in length and its stinging tentacles 25 feet (7.6 m) or more. It probably lives in deeper, calmer waters but has appeared in large blooms in California coastal waters, most recently in 2010. Conservation Giant black sea nettles appeared in droves along the San Diego shoreline in the summer of 1989. Then they mysteriously disappeared. The giant drifters reappeared again ten years later, in the summer of 1999. Increased numbers of sea nettles may be an indication that human activities have changed the condition of the ocean. Increased organic material means more nutrients. More nutrients, plus fertilizers from farms, enrich the plankton, providing more food for jellies and allowing them to increase in number.It is likely that the appearance of black sea nettles in coastal California waters is also related to El Nino/La Nina events. Cool Facts The black sea nettle provides the Pacific butterfish with food and protection. The silvery butterfish feeds on the plankton gathered by the jelly, and when danger approaches, the butterfish actually hides inside the jelly’s bell. The black sea nettle is a mysterious creature; during most years its whereabouts are unknown. Scientists just recently named this jelly in 1997, although pictures of the species were taken as early as 1926. Much about its behavior, distribution and life cycle remain a puzzle. Animal Facts Scientific Name: Chrysaora achlyos Habitat: Open Waters Animal Type: Invertebrates Diet: plankton including other jellies Size: to 3 feet (1 m) and oral arms extending to 20 feet (6 m) Range: Mexico, southern Baja California, Monterey Bay(rare) Relatives: Portuguese man-of-war, other jellies, sea anemones, coral; Family: Pelagiidae

Black Sea Nettle, Chrysaora Achlyos

JimG944

Natural History The black sea nettle is considered a giant jelly; its ...

Updated: Feb 09, 2011 7:26pm PST

Monterey Bay Aquarium : Exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium The stunning one-million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit is home to the largest community of open-ocean animals to be found in any aquarium. Giant bluefin tuna power their way through the water. Hammerhead sharks circle inches away. Sea turtles cruise lazily by. The Outer Bay also features the largest permanent collection of jellyfish species in the United States. Egg-yolk jellies and sea nettles drift gently in ten-foot-long exhibits beautifully lit to accentuate the jellies' delicate beauty. Comb jellies pulse with rainbow bands of light as they swim. In the past, a wonderful exhibit of Jelly Fish and most recently The Secret Life of Seahorses; always something exciting to see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

JimG944

Exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium The stunning one-million-gall ...

Updated: Feb 08, 2011 12:22am PST

Purple-Striped Jelly, Chrysaora Colorata : Natural History: Large and striking, adult purple-striped jellies are silvery white with deep-purple bands. In certain seasons, they mysteriously appear near the shores of Monterey. When the jellies arrive, it's wise to keep your distance (their sting isn't fatal, but it can be painful). Young cancer crabs are often found clinging to this jelly, even inside the gut. The crab helps the jelly by eating the parasitic amphipods that feed on and damage the jelly. Conservation: Human activities can hit nearshore habitats hard. Dredging, dumping and silt build-up can wipe out underwater communities in bays, estuaries and reefs. Several jelly species live in nearshore habitats. And many that don't live near the shore do develop in nearshore "nurseries" when they're young. Harming these habitats could reduce the overall jelly population. Cool Facts: The purple-striped jelly’s lifecycle was first discovered in its entirety at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. How does a jelly move? The bell pulses to move short distances—to go farther a jelly rides the current. Since divers have seen ocean sunfish eating these jellies, we know some fishes must be immune to the sting. Animal Facts Scientific Name: Chrysaora colorata Habitat: Open Waters Animal Type: Invertebrates Diet: mainly zooplankton, including copepods, larval fish, ctenophores, salps, other jellies, fish eggs Size: to 3 feet (1 m) in diameter Range: limited range off the coast of California Relatives: Pacific sea nettle, other jellyfishes, sea anemones, coral; Family: Pelagiidae

Purple-Striped Jelly, Chrysaora Colorata

JimG944

Natural History: Large and striking, adult purple-striped jellies are ...

Updated: Feb 06, 2011 11:35pm PST

Ice Storm February 2, 2011 : Not so much winter "fun." It is beautiful, like an icy wonderland outside. BUT... Oh sh*t doesn't even begin to cover it. I had to AXE my way into the feed shed to feed the horses this morning. Meanwhile, I hear and see 7 more trees go down in the neighborhood. Thankfully the horses are all okay.

Ice Storm February 2, 2011

KathleenAnnLevine

Not so much winter "fun." It is beautiful, like an icy wonderland out ...

Updated: Feb 02, 2011 7:06am PST

Fishes :

Fishes

LazyTJ

Updated: Oct 14, 2010 8:42pm PST

September 4, 2010 : Iain and dad wander the car show. Iain tries to photograph some cars he likes. September 4, 2010

September 4, 2010

KathleenAnnLevine

Iain and dad wander the car show. Iain tries to photograph some cars ...

Updated: Sep 09, 2010 7:13am PST

Atlanta-Aquarium : Summer 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Atlanta-Aquarium

lamart

Summer 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Updated: Sep 02, 2010 4:45pm PST

Seattle Aquarium :

Seattle Aquarium

Gary

Updated: Jul 14, 2010 5:28pm PST

Fish : Fish are very intriguing to me. Photographs from various aquariums all over the world.

Fish

mctphoto

Fish are very intriguing to me. Photographs from various aquariums al ...

Updated: Jun 26, 2010 2:22pm PST

PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh :

PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh

Gary

Updated: May 13, 2010 3:57pm PST

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