Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Classis: Scyphozoa
Subclassis: Discomedusae
Ordo: Rhizostomeae
Familia: Catostylidae
Genus: Catostylus
Species: Catostylus mosaicus
Name
Catostylus mosaicus Quoy and Gaimard, 1824
Vernacular names
English: Blubber jellyfish, Blue jelly
References
Catostylus mosaicus – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
The jelly blubber (Catostylus mosaicus), also known as the blue blubber jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish from coastal regions in the Indo-Pacific. It is the most commonly encountered jellyfish along the Australian eastern coast and large swarms sometimes appear in estuarine waters.
Description
Blubber Jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium showing two of the color variations (blue and brown) possible in this species.
In Sydney waters, the jelly blubber's large bell is a creamy white or brown colour, but farther north in Australia it is usually blue.[1] The colours are derived from pigment produced by the jellyfish itself (not symbiotic algae, as in some other jellyfish).[2] There is no obvious mouth on the underside, but there are small openings on each arm, through which food is passed to the stomach.[3] The tentacles also have stinging cells that can capture tiny crustaceans and other plankton. It grows to a diameter of 30–45 cm (12–18 in).[3]
The sting can be painful but generally poses no serious risk to humans.
Blubber jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Jellyfish Experience"
Distribution and habitat
This jellyfish is found in coastal parts of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, it occurs off the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It can also enter intertidal estuaries.[4]
Food
Eats mainly plankton, small fish, some crustaceans, and small particles in the ocean water.
References
"Catostylus mosaicus". Julian Rocks. Archived from the original on 2010-06-25.
Georgia Aquarium: Blubber jelly. Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Animal Guide. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
"Blubber jelly". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
"Catostylus mosaicus (Quoy & Gaimard)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
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