Cassiopeidae
Cassiopeidae is a genus of jellyfish in the family Cassiopeidae. These jellyfish are commonly known as upside-down jellyfish because they spend most of their time lying on the seafloor with their tentacles facing upwards. They are characterized by their distinctive, dome-shaped bell that is typically brown, green, or orange in color and their short, stubby tentacles. Cassiopeidae jellyfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, typically in shallow, sheltered areas like lagoons, estuaries, and mangroves. They are often found in large numbers and can form dense mats on the seafloor.
Common Names
Cassiopeidae jellyfish are commonly known as:
- Upside-down jellyfish
- Flower hat jellyfish
- Mangrove jellyfish
Characteristics
Cassiopeidae jellyfish possess several unique characteristics:
- They are typically small, with bell diameters ranging from 1 to 10 inches.
- Their bell is dome-shaped and usually exhibits brown, green, or orange pigmentation.
- They have short, stubby tentacles that are covered in stinging nematocysts.
- Unlike most jellyfish, they spend most of their time resting on the seafloor with their tentacles facing upwards.
- They have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, photosynthetic algae that live within their tissues.
Environment
Cassiopeidae jellyfish are primarily found in shallow, sheltered environments, particularly:
- Lagoons
- Estuaries
- Mangrove forests
References
For further information on Cassiopeidae, please refer to the following resources: