Nomura's Jellyfish [Rhopilema nomadica]
Description
Rhopilema nomadica, commonly referred to as Nomura's jellyfish, is a very large jellyfish species in the family Rhizostomatidae. It is native to the waters of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and China, but has been found in the Eastern Mediterranean following a possible introduction via the Suez Canal. This species can reach diameters of up to 2 meters and has a bell that is semi-transparent and slightly reddish or yellowish. It feeds on plankton, small fish, and other jellyfish. It is known for its painful, but rarely fatal, sting.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
True Jellyfish
Scyphozoa
|
| Order |
True Jellyfish
Semaeostomeae
|
| Family |
Blubber Jellies
Catostylidae
|
| Genus |
Rhopilema
Rhopilema
|