Atlantic Sea Gooseberry
Pleurobrachia pileus
Also known as: Cats Eyes, Comb Jellyfish, Jellyfish, Sea Gooseberry, Sea Gooseberry Comb Jelly, Sea Grape, Sea Jellies, Sea Walnut
- Cats Eyes
- Comb Jellyfish
- Jellyfish
- Sea Gooseberry
- Sea Gooseberry Comb Jelly
- Sea Grape
- Sea Jellies
- Sea Walnut
Overview
Found singly, or in swarms, swimming in open waters, sometimes in rock pools, or washed up on beaches.
Widespread Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea
The Comb Jelly is a hermaphrodite, found, in almost every ocean of the world. Their body is made up of "comb rows" eight rows of ciliary (hair) plates, used for propulsion, these generate the beautiful rainbow colours!
Despite its delicate and perhaps innocent appearance, the sea gooseberry is a voracious predator. Two retractable tentacles, sometimes reaching a length of 20 times the body diameter, are used to catch any prey that floats by! Unlike a jellyfish, comb jellies have no poison to paralyze their prey.
They in turn, are preyed on by crustaceans.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea
- Exact location · 4
- Country only · 2
Found singly, or in swarms, swimming in open waters, sometimes in rock pools, or washed up on beaches.
Adult photos 6
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Cydippida
