Upside-Down Jelly
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Lives upside down on sandy bottoms in the shallow waters of the Caribbean. Paul Humann
[edit] Overview
This is a bizarre, unusual, and very interesting animal that will do best in its own tank. It needs an aquarium with a good sand bed and little current. Outflow apertures and overflow boxes should be well screened. Scyphozoans, such as this, have an alternation of generations, with a hydroidlike polyp as one stage and a swimming medusa the other. If polyps become established, they reproduce asexually and become a nuisance.
Family: Cassiopeidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Maximum height: 25 cm (10 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 380 L (100 gal)
Lighting: Bright illumination is necessary.
Placement: In full bright light.
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Zooxanthellate; can subsist for long periods without feeding if dissolved nutrient level is high. Feeds on small planktonic animals, such as Artemia or Mysis, or feeder fishes like mollies.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Not a good community member; can sting and kill other animals. It has nematocysts and may be toxic to humans.
| Common name | Upside-Down Jelly + |
| Family | Cassiopeidae + |
| Genus | Cassiopeia + |
| Image credit | PH + |
| Lighting | Bright illumination is necessary. + |
| Maximum height | 10 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 100 gal + |
| Native range | Caribbean + |
| Placement | In full bright light. + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates + |
| Specific name | frondosa + |
| Text credit | RLS + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |