Deadly Debris Predators of sea jellies include sea turtles, blue rockfish, sea birds, ocean sunfish - and humans, particularly in Asian countries, who enjoy snacking on dried and salted jellies. Unfortunately, though, thousands of birds and turtles die each year from consuming plastic bags littering the ocean after mistaking these glossy but indigestible wads for sea jellies. These unnecessary deaths remind us that human discards might appear benign, but introducing any form of pollution into the environment can create unanticipated and hazardous conditions for our oceanic neighbors. Since the exhibit is still under construction, check back in a couple of months to see what new animals have been added, as Aquarium curators will collect additional jelly species for this new and exciting exhibit. This sea jelly has the distinction of being one of the longest animals in the world.
Juveniles are pink, turning red as they mature, and become a deep, brick red or purple as adults.
Lion's mane jellies can be found in cold ocean waters of the Northern Pacific. They contain symbiotic zooxanthellae and inhabit the small sheltered coves of the Palau lagoons, floating on the sunlit surface during the day and sinking to the chilly bottom at night. The Lagoon jelly has a high rounded bell that can reach a diameter of 8 inches. Some of the larger Lagoon Jellies have small fishes living with them. These animals have long tentacles that can reach up to eight feet in length, and a bell diameter that can reach up to 12 inches.