Blue Blubber Jelly
(Catostylus mosaicus)
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Animal Type
Invertebrates
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Exhibits
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Range
Pacific Ocean
Overview
The blue blubber jelly actually ranges in color from white to light blue to dark purple. Its bell pulses in a distinctive, staccato-like rhythm.
Quick Facts
Learn more about the blue blubber jelly! Did you know that in Asia, this venomous jelly is considered a culinary delicacy?
The blue blubber can be found in coastal waters of eastern and northern Australia.
The blue blubber jelly feeds primarily on zooplankton.
The bell of this jelly can be up to 16 inches wide.
In the past, jelly populations were kept in check by predators like sea turtles and jelly-eating fish. Due to the reduction in the populations of their predators, jelly populations are growing at alarming rates.
Sea turtles and other jelly-eating animals, such as tuna, sunfish, butterfish and spiny dogfish, keep jelly populations in balance. All seven species of sea turtles include them in their diets. The largest sea turtle species, the leatherback, depends on jellies for food. Because jellies are more than 90% water and an adult leatherback can weigh more than 2,000 pounds, one turtle can consume a lot of jellies!
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Explore Similar Animals
The National Aquarium—and the aquatic world—is full of amazing animals like this one.
Atlantic Bay Nettle (Chrysaora chesapeakei)
The Atlantic bay nettle's bell can grow up to 7 inches wide.
Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora pacifica)
This sea nettle can be found in the Pacific Ocean near Japan.
Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
Their bells are luminous with a blue-grey transparent disk in the center and glowing, horseshoe-shaped organs.
Pacific Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
Learn about Pacific sea nettle, including their habitat, diet, range and population status, and where you can find them at the National Aquarium.
Upside-Down Jelly (Cassiopea xamachana)
This jelly looks more like a flower blooming on the seafloor than a typical jelly.