The Moon jellyfish, known scientifically as Aurelia aurita, is an almost entirely translucent jellyfish which features four, distinct, bioluminescent, horseshoe-shaped gonads in its top. The Moon jellyfish is very common in northern seas, such as near Greenland, Northwest Pacific, and the Baltic sea, but can also be found outside South America. Aurelia aurita is very similar in appearance to other species in the Aurelia genus, so to truly identify an Aurelia aurita requires genetic testing. The Moon jellyfish is not an advanced swimmer and always drifts with the current, even when attempting to manually propel itself, therefore it prefers seas with consistent and mild currents, usually found inshore.
Moon Jellyfish have a bell width between 5.91”-13.78” (15-35 cm), bell height of 3.94”-9.1” (10-23 cm), and overall length of 7.1”-16.5” (18-42 cm). The typical lifespan of the Moon Jellyfish is 8-12 months with a weight between .01-.07 lb (.01-.03 kg).
The Moon jellyfish, known scientifically as Aurelia aurita, is an almost entirely translucent jellyfish which features four, distinct, bioluminescent, horseshoe-shaped gonads in its top. The Moon jellyfish is very common in northern seas, such as near Greenland, Northwest Pacific, and the Baltic sea, but can also be found outside South America. Aurelia aurita is very similar in appearance to other species in the Aurelia genus, so to truly identify an Aurelia aurita requires genetic testing. The Moon jellyfish is not an advanced swimmer and always drifts with the current, even when attempting to manually propel itself, therefore it prefers seas with consistent and mild currents, usually found inshore.
Moon Jellyfish have a bell width between 5.91”-13.78” (15-35 cm), bell height of 3.94”-9.1” (10-23 cm), and overall length of 7.1”-16.5” (18-42 cm). The typical lifespan of the Moon Jellyfish is 8-12 months with a weight between .01-.07 lb (.01-.03 kg).
