Name: Purple-striped Jelly
Scientific Name: Chrysaora colorata (Russell, 1964)
Family: Pelagiidae
Group: Anemones, corals and jellyfish
Class: Invertebrates
Size: 51-100 cm.
This large jellyfish is unusually attractive thanks to its silver sheen and purple stripes. They sometimes occur near the waters surrounding Monterey (California) rather unexpectedly. Contact with these animals should be avoided. Although not lethal, their sting is quite painful. This species is a primary component of sunfish diet, which seems to be immune to their sting. Crabs are also often sighted climbing on top and sometimes inside (!) of them. This is believed to be a symbiotic relationship, where crabs feed while getting the jellyfish rid of its parasite load.
Photo by:
Mafalda Frade
Purple striped Jellyfish
