Aurelia aurita

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Moon Jellyfish

Range: Worldwide

Size: 10 - 16 inches (25 - 40 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits various shallow environments.

General Husbandry: Has become a fairly common species seen in the trade.

Requires specialized tanks that are usually circular (see attached photos). Water flows in such a way that circular currents are formed which keep the jellyfish from settling to the bottom, more or less suspended in the water column where it can feed on the plankton foodstuffs added as required.

They contain zooxanthellae, which provides some nutritional supplement, however dry, powdered microplankton foods are sold that help provide all its nutritional needs in captivity.

An occasional supply of live Artemia nauplii is also welcomed in captivity.

Moon Jellyfish tanks are easy to set-up and maintain. Checkout the WWW for suppliers of these aquariums and these fascinating creatures!

Some suppliers provide tanks that rotate the color of its lighting, making for a nice viewing situation!

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Scyphozoa

Order: Semaestomae

Family: Ulmaridae

Genus: Aurelia

FYI: Bear in mind the species contains nematocysts, so contact with the bare skin should be avoided.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/plankton feeder

Aquarium Environment: Single species aquarium

Acclimation Time: As required/per shipment to your home

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Temperature Range: 32 - 85°F (0 - 29°C)

20 gallons

Lighting: PAR 150

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4