Moon Jellyfish
Aurelia aurita
Sighting evidence at Tori-Ike Connected Lakes, Miyako Islands
Moon jellyfish fill the upper water column of Tori-Ike in pulsing congregations, their translucent bells catching the filtered sunlight filtering through the mangrove canopy. Having evolved in predator-free isolation, these animals have reduced stinging nematocysts and produce negligible irritation on human skin, making swimming through them a safe and extraordinary experience. Their population cycles with plankton blooms driven by the tidal exchange through the underground channel.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Moon Jellyfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.