A moon jellyfish's tentacles are short and are located on the edges of its disked-shaped body. Four frilly oral arms hang down from underneath its body, or umbrella. These arms will be distinctly pink during August or September because of the large number of larvae developing on the edge of its umbrella. If you look at a moon jelly from above, you'll see four purple horseshoe shapes, which are portions of its reproductive system. It's easy to see how the moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita, got it's name.
Moon jellies are common in North Carolina waters during the summer and fall.
The sea nettle, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, is about the same size as a moon jelly, however its umbrella may be pale white and may look like the spokes of a wheel. It is also commonly found along the North Carolina coast during the summer months. It is distinct from the moon jelly in that its oral arms are longer and it has fewer yet longer tentacles. The mushroom jellyfish, Rhopilema verrilli, often floats off our coast between July and November, and it may even enter sounds and estuaries. Because of its size, it can easily break if lifted out of the water.