White-spotted jellyfish

Biology

Jellyfishes float in the ocean, moving with the currents. They move in a delicate way, by opening and closing the bell-shaped body, which can reach up to 50 centimetres. The bluish white spotted body is characteristic of this species. To feed, it uses its eight arms, short and thick, with several “mouths” armed with small harpoons, which catch small prey. Those harpoons, nematocysts, are small capsules with a lance inside that pierces the skin of prey or aggressors, and poisons it.

Curiosities

The small white spots on its bell are crystalline inclusions close to the surface. The colour of the umbrella varies according to the presence or absence of symbiotic algae, that provide energy to the jellyfish, through photosynthesis.