Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Spotted lagoon sea jelly
Size:
Spotted lagoon sea jellies can grow up to 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) long.
Diet:
These jellies eat zooplankton, small invertebrates and microbes using their arms. They also have special algae in their tissues, called zooxanthellae, that help them convert the sun's rays into food/energy.
Range & Habitat:
Throughout the Indian Ocean and Indo-west Pacific region, spotted lagoon sea jellies can be found free-floating in the more shallow, well lit areas of the ocean. At night, they sink to lower levels of their habitat.
Details:
Spotted lagoon sea jellies have translucent, spotted tops, eight long arms to help them sense their environment and a mouth on their underside. They have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae. These algae live within the jellyfish’s tissues and provide the jellyfish with energy through photosynthesis and in return, the jellyfish provides the algae with a safe environment to live in. This relationship is why their coloration can range from green to brown, depending on the algae presence.