Sealife guideThe moon jellyfishAurelia aurita

Last updated on 09/02/2024 at 11:51 PM
Taxonomy
  • Common name: Moon jellyfish
  • French name: Méduse bleue, méduse lune, aurélie
  • Scientific name: Aurelia aurita (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Family name: Ulmaridae
  • Order name: Semaeostomeae
  • Class name: The scyphozoans [Scyphozoa]
Description
The moon jellyfish has a flattened bell shape that averages about 12 inches in diameter. The bell has a regular shape with a scalloped edge.
The coloration of the moon jellyfish ranges from bluish to pinkish
The coloration of the moon jellyfish ranges from bluish to pinkish © | Dreamstime.com
The moon jellyfish is generally translucent, but its color can vary and take on a slightly bluish or pinkish hue depending on its age and diet.
Geographic range
The moon jellyfish is a common species found in temperate and tropical coastal waters of seas and oceans around the world. It is particularly found in the coastal waters of Northern Europe, the Caribbean sea, and the Red sea.
Habitat
Like all jellyfish, the moon jellyfish drifts with the currents and can be found along coastlines.
Diet
The moon jellyfish primarily feeds on small planktonic organisms and fish larvae, which it captures with its tentacles as it drifts with the currents.
Reproduction
The moon jellyfish has different forms of reproduction that include various developmental stages, such as larval planktonic forms and polyps, before taking its adult jellyfish form.
It can reproduce sexually by releasing male gametes into the seawater, which then fertilize the gametes still held by the female jellyfish. The fertilized eggs remain attached under the bell of the female jellyfish and develop into planktonic larvae.
Did you know ?
The moon jellyfish is capable of producing a faint bioluminescent glow in the dark. This bioluminescence is due to the presence of specific proteins in its jelly, allowing it to attract prey or defend itself against predators.
The moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
The moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Due to climate change, jellyfish blooms, which are proliferations of jellyfish, occur regularly in certain regions of the world, and the moon jellyfish is one of the species responsible for these blooms, particularly in Northern Europe, where it is widespread.
Discover also
Acropora cythereacoral (Acropora cytherea)
Acropora cythereacoral
(Acropora cytherea)
Blue blubber jellyfish (Catostylus mosaicus)
Blue blubber jellyfish
(Catostylus mosaicus)
Cylinder anemone (Cerianthus membranaceus)
Cylinder anemone
(Cerianthus membranaceus)
Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
Fried egg jellyfish
(Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
Lion's mane jellyfish
(Cyanea capillata)
Pharaoh coral (Acropora parapharaonis)
Pharaoh coral
(Acropora parapharaonis)
Purple-striped jelly (Pelagia noctiluca)
Purple-striped jelly
(Pelagia noctiluca)
Sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
Sea nettle
(Chrysaora fuscescens)
The marine species from Mediterranean sea
Common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris)
Common two-banded seabream
(Diplodus vulgaris)
Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
Fried egg jellyfish
(Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
Green spoon worm (Bonellia viridis)
Green spoon worm
(Bonellia viridis)
Purple-striped jelly (Pelagia noctiluca)
Purple-striped jelly
(Pelagia noctiluca)
Salema (Sarpa salpa)
Salema
(Sarpa salpa)
Umbrella weed (Acetabularia acetabulum)
Umbrella weed
(Acetabularia acetabulum)

Our latestUpdates

The lemonpeel angelfish
Thursday, January 9th 2025
The lemonpeel angelfish
The lemonpeel angelfish is a small, brightly colored reef fish found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean. It inhabits shallow coral reefs, sheltering among corals and rocky crevices.
The magic of Christmas decorations
Friday, December 19th 2025
The magic of Christmas decorations
Discover Christmas decorations in Florida: giant trees, illuminated palm trees, magical light displays and tropical settings to experience the holiday magic under the sun.
The dusky shark
Monday, December 15th 2025
The dusky shark
Discover the dusky shark, one of the world's largest coastal sharks, and learn why this powerful predator is essential to marine ecosystems.
Photo of the Day
Girelle paon à taches d'encre (Thalassoma hardwicke)
Girelle paon à taches d'encre
(Thalassoma hardwicke)