When you think about a jellyfish, you wouldn’t think about a fried egg right? How do those two things come together? Well, when you see one for the first time it will all make sense.
CONTENTS:
- Origin of the Fried Egg Jellyfish
- Where do they live
- Description
- Reproduction of the Fried Egg Jellyfish
- Not to be missed in Malta
- What do Fried Egg Jellyfish eat
- Fun Facts About Fried Egg Jellyfish
Origin of the Fried Egg Jellyfish
The original name of the jellyfish is ‘Cotylorhiza Tuberculata’. Try to say that in one go! Let’s rather just keep it with Fried Egg Jellyfish. Sometimes they are called ‘Egg-Yolk Jellies’ as well. In my opinion, ‘Fried Egg Jellyfish’ sounds much cooler.
Where do they live
The common areas where the jellyfish can be found are in the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The Fried Egg Jellyfish are the most common jellyfish found in the Mediterranean Sea.
Description
The jellyfish spend most of its time motionless, slowly pushing itself through the water. An adult Fried Egg Jellyfish can be measured by 35 cm, but some may almost reach 50 cm!
The appendages are usually coloured deep purple and it looks like big purple broccoli and while the stingers are present, the sting has very little effect on humans. Its sting is so mild that the tentacles sometimes provide shelter to small fish in the open ocean.
Reproduction of the Fried Egg Jellyfish
The sexual reproduction between adults is taken place between August and October. The female jellyfish, are internally fertilized with sperm from her partners mouth-arm appendages. After her fertilized period, she will release a large number of eggs into the water. Their life cycle is the maximum of one year.
Not to be missed in Malta
Usually, in the month of September, you will find a big school of Fried Egg Jellyfish around the Maltese Islands. It is so beautiful to see and great for underwater photography. As normal fish will swim away, the jellyfish just hang around, so it is easy to capture that one awesome photo of the Fried Egg Jellyfish.
What do Fried Egg Jellyfish eat
The Fried Egg Jellyfish consumes small aquatic organisms. Likely plankton, Phytoplankton and zooplankton. The jellyfish takes in the small aquatic organisms through its mouth-arms, where it will travel to the stomach of the jellyfish. One of the predators of the Fried Egg Jellyfish is the Sea Turtle. Luckily, there are not a lot of turtles around the Maltese Islands, so we can enjoy the Fried Egg Jellyfish more.
Fun Facts About Fried Egg Jellyfish
- Sometimes small animals like crabs hitch a ride on top of and inside the jellyfish’s bell, tucked away from the stingers.
- They reproduce in warm waters, asexually producing tiny medusae (aka baby jellies).
- Researchers think their short life cycle is an adaption to their highly seasonal environment.
Written By: Jasper Mulder