1 Fried Egg Jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)

Description

Description
Flat umbrella with a semi-spherical elevation at the center. The oral arms are branched into countless blue-violet appendages. Generally green-brown in color due to unicellular algae (zooxanthellae) that live in symbiosis within the jellyfish.

The edge of the umbrella has 16 marginal lobes, each of which is subdivided into smaller lobes. It has eight interconnected oral arms that branch further.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Cnidaria
• Class: Scyphozoa
• Order: Rhizostomeae
• Family: Cepheidae
• Genus: Cotylorhiza
• Species: Cotylorhiza tuberculata
• Common names: Fried egg jellyfish, poached egg, tufted headless jelly

Distribution: A common species in oceanic and coastal surface waters. Forms massive swarms that can stretch for several kilometers. Mainly present from May to October, found at depths up to 25 meters, but commonly seen near the surface. Native to the Mediterranean Sea

Maximum size: 20–30 cm, can reach up to 35 cm in the wild, but does not grow that large in captivity

Lifespan: Several months in nature; up to 1 year in aquariums

Needs light: Yes, due to the presence of zooxanthellae inside its tissues

Feeding:
Highly active swimmers that require a varied and nutritious diet, including:
Artemia salina nauplii
Coral food preparations
Jellyfish-specific food
Rotifers (live or frozen)
Invertebrate food mixes
Frozen cyclops
Do not feed red plankton (Calanus species) Very active swimmers that require a nutritious and varied diet:
Artemia salina nauplii, coral food preparations, jellyfish food, rotifers, frozen rotifers, invertebrate food mix, frozen cyclops.
NEVER feed red plankton (Calanus species).

Stinging: Harmless to humans

Care level: Medium
They are very active swimmers and need a high food intake to avoid shrinking.
These jellyfish are very sensitive; special care must be taken during tank maintenance and handling to avoid tissue damage.
Recommended water flow: light to medium.