White-spotted Jellyfish
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© Jiri Lochman/Lochman Transparencies
Fast Facts
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Classification
- Genus
- Phyllorhiza
- Species
- punctata
- Order
- Rhizostomeae
- Class
- Scyphozoa
- Phylum
- Cnidaria
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 50 cm
Introduction
This large and spectacular jellyfish is common during the summer months in New South Wales coastal waters and estuaries, including Sydney Harbour.
Identification
The White-spotted Jellyfish is easily recognised by the large, semi-transparent, rounded bell covered in regularly spaced, white dots. The trailing tentacles also end in whitened spots.
Habitat
White-spotted Jellyfish live in oceans and coastal waters.
Distribution
White-spotted Jellyfish are found throughout Australia.
Economic impacts
The White-spotted Jellyfish is causing a problem overseas, particularly in the Caribbean region. It may have hitched a ride in ships' ballast tanks, travelling from Australia and the Pacific region to the Caribbean. Here, it found an ideal place to breed, free of their natural predators (various Pacific-region snails).
Danger to humans
Mild or not noticeable.
