The coconut jellyfish is a jellyfish-like animal, a species of Tentaculata ctenophora (comb jellies).
The sea walnut jellyfish inhabits the western coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern coast of South AmericaHowever, it is an invasive species in parts of Europe and western Asia.
Let’s learn more about it from teketrek.
What are the characteristics of the sea walnut jellyfish?
The sea walnut jellyfish belongs to the phylum Ctenophora, class Lobata, family Bolinopsidae, genus Mnemiopsis.
The sea walnut jellyfish has a very soft body and can collapse passively when removed from water.
The length of the sea walnut jellyfish is about 100-120 mm, and the body width is estimated to be half its length.
The body of the sea walnut jellyfish is divided into eight symmetrical parts containing longitudinal bands of cilia.
The sea walnut jellyfish is characterized by its white color, or it may be transparent.
Where is the sea walnut jellyfish found?
The sea walnut jellyfish is found in the surface waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and is a widely distributed aquatic animal in most parts of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as on the east coast of North and South America.
Recently, the sea walnut jellyfish has become present in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and has proliferated greatly in these areas.
The sea walnut jellyfish generally prefers coastal saline water habitats in bays and river estuary sites. However, it tolerates a wide range of salinity from 3% to 39%, and temperatures from 4.0 degrees to 31.0 degrees Celsius.
What is the diet of the sea walnut jellyfish?
It is a voracious carnivore and a primary consumer of edible zooplankton.
It consumes up to ten times its weight daily.
It prefers a broad diet of zooplankton, including eggs and larval forms of various invertebrates and fish, small fish, as well as copepods and other jellyfish.
Reproductive stages of the sea walnut jellyfish:
This species is hermaphroditic, synchronous, free-spawning, capable of self-fertilization. Spawning occurs during the summer months and varies depending on habitat conditions.
Internal fertilization can occur, but most often, eggs and sperm are released into the water column where fertilization occurs.
The eggs produce a rapidly growing larva that is fully developed within 20 hours.
Upon hatching, the larvae measure 0.3-0.4 mm (0.12-0.16 inches). Sexual maturity is rapid, and some specimens may begin producing eggs in less than two weeks after hatching.
Spawning in the Caspian Sea occurs at night, where 2000-3000 eggs are produced daily depending on food availability.
Researchers have discovered that lower salinity may reduce its reproductive capacity.
What is the secret behind the success of the sea walnut jellyfish?
It is believed that the secret to the success of the sea walnut jellyfish lies in its simple and effective hunting habits.
It has been discovered that the sea walnut jellyfish produces a current that sucks everything in the surrounding waters into its ring-shaped mouth.
The current produced by the sea walnut jellyfish flows smoothly at only 2 mm per second.
As the current passes through the animal’s mouth, it swells, twists, and turns into a spiral motion that surpasses the tentacles.
Then the mouth closes, trapping almost everything in this feeding stream. The sea walnut jellyfish produces its own food conveyor belt, a flowing buffet consisting of a variety of dishes.
Amazing and interesting facts about the sea walnut jellyfish:
Here are some facts about sea walnut jellyfish:
The sea walnut jellyfish is a simple and transparent marine ctenophore, only a few inches long.
The sea walnut jellyfish is one of the most stealthy predators in the ocean and is a major player in the oceans.
These invasive species cannot see but can only sense the movement of prey just outside their body.
The sea walnut jellyfish does not possess clear weapons, nor does it have the ability to move at high speeds.
Due to its biological and physical characteristics, the sea walnut jellyfish is unable to chase its prey. Instead, it uses pulsating cilia referred to as cilia to create undetectable water currents that bring its prey directly to its mouth.
The sea walnut jellyfish has been classified as invasive and can reproduce at a very fast rate.
In the Caspian Sea, it has been recorded that the sea walnut jellyfish produces more than 2000-3000 eggs daily, rapidly increasing its numbers. Moreover, the egg produced by the sea walnut jellyfish can develop within 20 hours of laying, which is why there has been a significant increase in the number of sea walnut jellyfish.
These species have been classified as invasive in European and Asian regions due to their rapid reproduction rate. The sea walnut jellyfish was introduced to the Black Sea in the 1980s and reached its highest population level, with 400 specimens per cubic meter of water. However, the number of sea walnut jellyfish has significantly decreased due to the depletion of food stocks.
The sea walnut jellyfish has also caused a decrease in the numbers of surface fish in the Black Sea because it eats the eggs and larvae of these fish.
Frequently asked questions about the sea walnut jellyfish:
What color is the sea walnut jellyfish?
It is white or transparent.
How long is the sea walnut jellyfish?
The sea walnut jellyfish is about 100-120 mm long.
What are the characteristics of the sea walnut jellyfish?
It reproduces by laying eggs and possesses stinging cells that carry a poisonous substance. Some species even have up to 24 eyes that enable them to see 360 degrees
Where does the sea walnut jellyfish live?
It lives in all the world’s oceans, from surface waters to the depths of the seas, and can be found in both warm and cold waters
What does the sea walnut jellyfish eat?
It feeds on plankton, small fish, fish eggs, and sometimes other jellyfish
Is the sting of the sea walnut jellyfish dangerous?
Yes, the stings of some species, such as the box jellyfish, can be fatal. The box jellyfish is one of the most dangerous animals and can cause death
In conclusion
the sea walnut jellyfish is a unique marine creature characterized by its transparent shape and sparkling colors, considered one of the most magnificent creatures of the seas. It plays an important ecological role as part of the marine food chain and is used in scientific research to study biological evolution and marine phenomena. Despite its beauty and charm, the sea walnut jellyfish faces numerous environmental threats due to climate change and marine pollution. Therefore, it remains essential to protect its environment and maintain the balance of the ecosystem to ensure the continuity of these enchanting creatures in our oceans.
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