Rootmouth Jellyfish (Eupilema inexpectata)

Also known as Cape Barrel Jellyfish, Root-mouthed Jellyfish, Sea Jelly

Description

Also known as Cape Barrel Jellyfish, Dinner Plate Jellyfish, Root-mouthed Jellyfish, Sea Jelly.

Found in the ocean, often mixed with small fish, using the large size of this jellyfish to hide from predators, commonly found washed ashore, looking like large dinner plates.
They feed on zooplankton.
Length - 100cm
Depth - 0-35m
Widespread Southeast Atlantic

This is the largest species of jellyfish.

Jellyfish are 95% water.
They have no heart, brain, blood, or gills. The body of the Jellyfish is called a bell. They do have a mouth, tentacles and arms around their mouth. They use their arms around their mouth to help sense and find food that ends up inside their mouth.

In the winter they disintegrate, the offspring surviving as larvae attached to the bottom. By asexual reproduction they form stacks of platters, and these platters are released in the spring to start their pelagic life.
Their only predators are Bannerfish and Arrow Crabs. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupilema_inexpectata

0 comments

Leave a comment

Known Sightings / Photograph Locations

Share this: