Fried Egg Jellyfish

jellyfish · ocean · Mediterranean · unusual names

Looks Like Breakfast. Fried egg jellyfish have a rounded dome with a darker center and lighter edges, making them look surprisingly like a fried egg on a plate. That's exactly why people gave them such a fun, silly name.

Two Different Species. The name refers to two separate jellyfish, not just one. Cotylorhiza tuberculata lives in the warm Mediterranean Sea and is medium-sized, while Phacellophora is a bigger cousin found in cold, subarctic waters all around the world.

Stinging Tentacles. Both types of fried egg jellyfish have tentacles underneath their dome that sting small fish and plankton to catch food. The stings are usually harmless to humans, though they can cause minor irritation.

Ocean Drifters. These jellyfish float with ocean currents and can gather in huge groups when conditions are right. Sometimes thousands appear together in the same area, creating an amazing underwater light show.

Ancient Creatures. Jellyfish like these have existed in Earth's oceans for over 500 million years, making them older than dinosaurs and practically unchanged for millions of years.