Common Jellyfish (Aurelia Aurita)

The moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), an enchanting creature with graceful movements that evoke tranquillity and serenity, is, in reality, a formidable predator. It preys on zooplankton ensnared in its tentacles, armed with cnidocytes—specialised cells that discharge a venomous substance. The moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita is distributed across all seas worldwide, predominantly inhabiting very shallow depths. It qualifies as plankton itself and stands out as one of the largest planktonic organisms. Besides its rhythmic pulsation, propelling it upward, the jellyfish relies entirely on ocean currents.

The body of an adult jellyfish is composed of 94-98% water. Its digestive system did not need to undergo extensive evolution, unlike that of many other creatures; both the food intake and elimination of food excretion occur through the same opening.

It's worth noting that while Aurelia aurita is not deemed harmful to humans, certain jellyfish species can induce irritation or allergic reactions. Therefore, precautions should be observed when coming into contact with them.

Photos by Theano Dandari

You can observe jellyfish in the tanks at the Aquarium of Crete.