The jelly blubber (''Catostylus mosaicus''), also known as the blue blubber jellyfish, is a species of

jellyfish Jellyfish and sea jellies are the informal common names given to the medusa-phase of certain gelatinous members of the subphylum Medusozoa, a major part of the phylum Cnidaria. Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animals with umbrell ...

from coastal regions in the Indo-Pacific. It is the most commonly encountered

along the Australian eastern coast and large swarms sometimes appear in estuarine waters.

Description

In Sydney waters, the jelly blubber's large bell is a creamy white or brown colour, but farther north in Australia it is usually blue. The colours are derived from symbiotic algal plant cells within the body of the jellyfish. There is no obvious mouth on the underside, but there are small openings on each arm, through which food is passed to the stomach. The tentacles also have

stinging cell A cnidocyte (also known as a cnidoblast or nematocyte) is an explosive cell containing one large secretory organelle called a cnidocyst (also known as a cnida () or nematocyst) that can deliver a sting to other organisms. The presence of this ce ...

s that can capture tiny crustaceans and other plankton. It can grow up to 35cm across. The sting can be painful but generally poses no serious risk to humans. Blubber Jellyfish

Distribution and habitat

This jellyfish is found in coastal parts of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, it occurs off the coasts of

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

and

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. It can also enter intertidal estuaries.

Food

Eats mainly plankton, small fish, some crustaceans, and small particles in the ocean water.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2709311 Animals described in 1824 Catostylus