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.
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)
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
Atlantic sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha)
Common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina)
Cylinder anemone (Cerianthus membranaceus)
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)
Magnificent sea anemone (Radianthus magnifica)
Portuguese man of war (Physalia physalis)
Purple gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata)
Slimy sea plume (Antillogorgia americana)
The marine species from Mediterranean sea
Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
Forkbeard (Phycis phycis)
Hatpin sea urchin (Centrostephanus longispinus)
John dory (Zeus faber)
Small red scorpionfish (Scorpaena notata)
Thornback ray (Raja clavata)
Umbrella weed (Acetabularia acetabulum)
Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus)
Our latestUpdates
Saturday, November 15th 2025
Batz island
Located in the English Channel off the northern coast of Brittany, just a few kilometers from the town of Roscoff, Batz island is a true little haven of peace where you can enjoy its wild landscapes, unspoiled beaches and historical heritage.
Friday, November 7th 2025
The common sea fan
The common sea fan, is a type of soft coral found in the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and the western Atlantic ocean. It grows in wide, fan-shaped forms that sway gently with the ocean currents, helping it catch tiny food particles drifting by. Its beautiful purple branches are covered by a thin living tissue that hosts tiny algae, which provide much of the coral's energy through sunlight.
Thursday, October 30th 2025
The leopard blenny
The leopard blenny is a small reef fish from the Indo-Pacific ocean. It is easily recognized by its spotted coloration, which resembles that of a leopard. It lives on shallow coral reefs, feeds mainly on algae and polyps and skillfully camouflages among the corals to avoid predators.
