Crowned Jellyfish

Cephea cephea, known as the crown jellyfish or cauliflower jellyfish, is a fascinating marine species that thrives in the tropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific, including areas around Northern 🇦🇺 Australia. This jellyfish, first identified by Peter Forsskål in 1775, is a common sight in the Indo-West Pacific, the eastern Atlantic, and the 🌊 Red Sea. Despite the species' reputation for being one of the most venomous jellyfish, it is harmless to humans and is often considered a delicacy and used medicinally in 🇨🇳 China and 🇯🇵 Japan.

This jellyfish can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 24 inches) in diameter and is notable for its striking purplish-blue color and bell-shaped structure adorned with wart-like projections. Its tentacles have special cells, called nematocysts, which help capture and paralyze its prey.

Cephea cephea typically resides in the deep waters of the pelagic zone, over 900 meters (about 3,000 feet) below the surface, where it displays bioluminescence. During the day, it remains in these depths and rises to shallower waters at night to feed. Its diet comprises mainly algae, shrimp, plankton, and the eggs and larvae of other invertebrates. Sea turtles are among its known predators.

The jellyfish's life cycle begins when adults release sperm or eggs into the water, leading to the development of planula larvae. These larvae settle on surfaces like rocks and grow into polyps. These polyps can reproduce asexually, giving rise to ephyra, the stage before they become mature medusae. The jellyfish's ability to reproduce is heavily influenced by factors such as water temperature and food availability.

Boasting a relatively short lifespan of only three to six months and composed largely of water (about 95%), Cephea cephea continues to capture human interest both as a unique marine creature and for its culinary and medicinal value in certain cultures.