Fried Egg Jellyfish
Fried Egg Jellyfish Facts
| Size | 6-13 inches (17-35 cm) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Lifespan | Half a year |
| Food | Zooplankton, phytoplankton, jellyfish |
| Predators | Sea turtles |
| Distribution | Cold and warm seas all over the world |
| Habitat | High seas |
| Class | Scyphozoa |
| Order | Rhizostomeae |
| Family | Cepheidae |
| Scientific name | Cotylorhiza tuberculata, Phacellophora camtschatica |
| Characteristics | Jellyfish that looks like a fried egg |
Main Characteristics
The fried egg jellyfish is a jellyfish that is very common in the Mediterranean. Its most eye-catching characteristics are its yellow dome and its large, white bell, making it look like a fried egg.
Species
There are two species called fried egg jellyfish: Cotylorhiza tuberculata and Phacellophora camtschatica. Other than their looks, they have little in common.
Distribution and Habitat
Depending on the species, fried egg jellyfish live in warm or cold waters. C. tuberculata lives in the warm Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas. P. camtschatica is mainly found in cold seas. Both prefer the high seas as a habitat.
Life Style
Fried egg jellyfish spend most of their time floating through the sea just below the surface. They rarely move, but they can swim on their own, without relying on currents.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Fried egg jellyfish grow to a size of 6-13 inches (17-35 cm) - depending on the species. C. tuberculata' bell has a diameter of 6 inches (17 cm) and P. camtschatica's bell has a diameter of 13 inches (35 cm).
Bell
Fried egg jellyfish have a small yellow to orange dome at the top of their bell. It's particularly easy to spot on C. tuberculata. It looks like the yolk of a chicken egg. Otherwise the bell is white and its rim is unevenly shaped, just like the white of a chicken egg.
Tentacles
Whether fried egg jellyfish have tentacles or not depends on the species. C. tuberculata has no tentacles, but countless small mouth arms with purple, button-like appendages. P. camtschatica, on the other hand, has many thin tentacles. They can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long.
Diet
Fried egg jellyfish are carnivores. Using their mouth arms, they trap their prey and feed through them. C. tuberculata feeds primarily on zooplankton (tiny creatures), but also eats phytoplankton (tiny plants). The diet of P. camtschatica consists of zooplankton and other jellyfish.
Senses and Abilities
Poison
Are fried egg jellyfish poisonous? These animals look funny, but they unsettle a lot of people for a good reason. After all, there are many animal species that pretend to be harmless by their appearance. So this jellyfish could perhaps be dangerous. If you look at it more closely, you can see countless, dangerous-looking purple button-like appendages on their mouth arms. In fact, they can sting, but fortunately the poison is very weak. It is harmless to humans and doesn't cause pain - unless one is allergic. In this case, the skin can become red and itchy. It is best not to touch the animal at all.
Locomotion
Although fried egg jellyfish like to float motionless in the water, they can also move actively, making them independent of ocean currents.
Protection for other Sea Creatures
Fried egg jellyfish are very popular with other marine animals - especially the species C. tuberculata. Amphipods and Pacific jack mackerels live under their bell, finding protection from predatory fish. Often, you can see small crustaceans riding on their bell. They enjoy being carried around and steal food from its mouth arms.
Symbiosis
Fried egg jellyfish live in symbiosis with small algae, They're called zooxanthellae. They grow in the purple “buttons” that sit on the mouth arms. The algae find protection and habitat in the jellyfish. In return, they provide energy. The algae are very important for the jellyfish. Without it, it can't develop into an adult.
Life Expectancy
In its adult state, fried egg jellyfish only live for about half a year, from summer to winter.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Sea turtles are the primary natural predator of the fried egg jellyfish, while their bell is also susceptible to damage from the wind and waves.
People
The biggest enemy of fried egg jellyfish is humans. The animals swim just below the surface of the water, which is why they are often injured by motorboats. Fishing nets also pose a danger to them. In summer the animals can often be seen near the beach. Since many tourists don't like jellyfish and are afraid of them, they are removed from the waters. Many of them die in the process.
Fried Egg Jellyfish Are an Alarm Signal
In the summer, fried egg jellyfish are spotted more and more often. Especially on the coasts of Mallorca, Malta, Croatia and Spain. The jellyfish is harmless, so why could this be an alarm signal? The seas are becoming warmer due to climate change. Higher temperatures are perfect for C. to reproduce. The number of jellyfish serves as a signal to humans that it is getting hotter.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Fried egg jellyfish are very important for the ecosystem. They provide shelter for other marine life and provide food for sea turtles.
Reproduction
Fried egg jellyfish reproduce like most other jellyfish. They start as small larvae between August and November. When they have developed sufficiently, they sink to the ground and become “sedentary” for some time. At this stage they are called polyps. Then they detach themselves from the ground and become free-swimming juveniles - and later-on adult jellyfish.
Fun Facts
Can You Eat Fried Egg Jellyfish?
Fried egg jellyfish are a popular snack in Asia. They're fried in a batter coating. It's easy for us to eat animals that aren't considered particularly intelligent or sensitive. However, scientists have discovered that jellyfish can learn even without a brain. Isn't that amazing?
The Fried Egg Jellyfish Is Related To:
- Helmet Jellyfish
- Moon Jellyfish
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Bar Jack
- Barracuda
- Boxfish
- Dolphin
- Fairy Basslet
- Flying Gurnard
- Green Sea Turtle
- Grouper
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Hermit Crab
- Humpback Whale
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Moray Eel
- Needlefish
- Octopus
- Parrotfish
- Porcupinefish
- Rays
- Remora
- Seadragon
- Sea Urchin
- Sharks
- Spotted Eagle Ray
- Tuna
- Trumpetfish
Sources:
- "Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) ‐ Life History of a Stationary Population" (https://www.researchgate.net)
- "Ecological aspects of early life stages of Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomae) affecting its pelagic population success" (https://link.springer.com)
