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Moon, Jelly (Aurelia aurita)

Four Round Shapes
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The top is translucent, usually about 10 to 16 in (25 to 40 cm) in diameter. Its hallmark is a pattern of four round gonads that are easily visible through the top of its bell.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:09 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #TNT_0599
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Short Tentacles
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As can be seen, its tentacles are very short, yet are still capable of trapping prey to eat.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:10 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2223
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Is Food Too
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The Moon Jelly is food for the Ocean Sunfish, Leatherback Sea Turtle, the Fried Egg Jelly, and the Crystal Jelly.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:20 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2223
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Life In Months
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The Moon Jelly only lives for a few months in the wild, but can survive for years in captivity.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:21 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2224
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Shows Its Inside
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One Moon Jelly inverted and allowed a nice view into its interior. It dissolves its prey and diffuses the result inward.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:26 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2227
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Prefers Temperate Temperatures
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The Moon Jelly prefers temperate seas (9 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius) with consistent currents. It has been found in waters with salinity as low as 6 parts per thousand.

Moon Jelly external link (Aurelia aurita)   •  Or common jellyfish or saucer jelly   •  Monterey Bay Aquarium external link internal link   •  886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 20 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:27 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2228
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