Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Rhizostoma pulmo
- Common name
- Barrel jellyfish
- Category
- Cnidarians
- Family
- Rhizostomatidae
- Genus
- Rhizostoma
- Size
- 30–60 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- open-water, pelagic
- Behaviours
- pelagic
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Rhizostoma pulmo is a large jellyfish reaching 60 cm in bell and 10 kg. Whitish to bluish bell edged with a characteristic purple fringe. Mild sting: passing itching, not very painful. Found in Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal waters, sometimes beached in the millions. Feeds on plankton by filtering through its oral arms.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Barrel jellyfish?
- Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) reaches 30–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Barrel jellyfish?
- Barrel jellyfish is found between 0–50 m deep.
- Is the Barrel jellyfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Barrel jellyfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Barrel jellyfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Cyanea capillata - Lion's mane jellyfish
- Plumularia setacea - Feathery hydroid
- Cassiopea andromeda - Upside-down jellyfish
- Condylactis gigantea - Giant Caribbean anemone
- Bartholomea annulata - Corkscrew anemone
- Palythoa caribaeorum - Caribbean mat zoanthid
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 135299)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5185453)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia