Mediterranean Cassiopeia or Fried Egg jellyfish - Cotylorhiza tuberculata

The Mediterranean Cassiopeia or Fried Egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata Macri, 1778) is one of scifomedusa cepheidae family, common in the Mediterranean Sea. Cassiopea mediterranea Cotylorhiza tuberculata scifomedusa Cepheidae

Cassiopea mediterranea - Cotylorhiza tuberculata — Cassiopea mediterranea – Cotylorhiza tuberculata – intotheblue.it

Description

This species, which reaches 30 centimeters in diameter, with a characteristic umbrella white disc-shaped, with a round hump and yellow in the center (it looks like a fried egg). The margin is typically jagged, yellow or greenish sometimes for the presence of zooxanthellae.

The species, like all those belonging to the class of rhizostomae, lacks tentacles, but rich in oral arms that branch off from the four lobes of the mouth, many of which are subtle and end with a little button blue / purple color.

Cassiopea mediterranea Cotylorhiza tuberculata scifomedusa Cepheidae

Cassiopea mediterranea e avannotti di Caranx crysos - Cotylorhiza Tuberculata and youngs Caranx crysos - intotheblue.it — Cassiopea mediterranea e avannotti di Caranx crysos – Cotylorhiza Tuberculata and youngs Caranx crysos – intotheblue.it

Distribution and habitat

It is a pelagic species, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, very common, particularly in the Adriatic from October to May.

Biology

In spite of its large size, this species is not stinging. Only the most sensitive individuals may incur in small pinches in contact with the arms. Typical the presence, in the vicinity of the same, small fish fry of the species Trachurus trachurus, Seriola dumerili, Caranx ronchus, Sarpa Salpa, Boops boops.