Chrysaora colorata
Also known as: Compass Jellyfish, Mauve Stinger, Pelagiid Jellyfish, Purple-banded Jellyfish, Purple Jellyfish, Purple-striped Jellyfish, Purple-striped Sea Nettle, Sea Jelly, Sea Nettle
Found near the surface, drifting in bays, estuaries, and lagoons, sometimes can be found in the open seas, more active when in a lively current, which makes it easier to catch their prey. Often they live in a symbiotic relationship with Cancer Crabs, who make home in the jellyfish, and eat the parasitic amphipods that feed on, and damage the jellyfish. these jellyfish have a strong sting.
They feed on crustaceans, larval fish, fish eggs, other jellyfish, salps, and zooplankton.
Eastern Central Pacific - California to San Diego.
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.
Found near the surface, drifting in bays, estuaries, and lagoons, sometimes can be found in the open seas, more active when in a lively current, which makes it easier to catch their prey.
1 comment
I found a large purple-striped jelly dead on the shore of China Camp Beach, San Pablo Bay, San Francisco Bay Area on 7/14/25. Sharing this info in case it is scientifically helpful. It looked intact from a novice point of view.
Semaeostomeae
