Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskal, 1775)

Photo taken by George Reclos at a depth of 1 meter. Aegean Sea, Serifos island, August 2004. Click on the image for a high resolution photo.

Family: PELAGIIDAE

Order: SEMAESTOMAE

Distribution: Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Atlantic.

Depth: Up to 70 m, but usually the animals are found up to 20 m or 50 m.

Common name: Pink jellyfish, Warty jellyfish

Size: Diameter about 10 cm. Tentacles can grow to 10 meters.

Natural biotopes: Pelagic species, can be found anywhere.

Artificial environment: Not suitable for aquariums.

Temperature: 10° C to 18° C

Food: Filtration feeder.

Behavior: P. notiluca has separate sexes.

General information: Upon contact with humans, the extraordinarily toxic tentacles produce painful blisters and fever. Local use of antihistamine drugs will relieve the pain.