Cotylorhiza tuberculata

Medusa tuberculata, Macri, 1778 junior synonym.

Cotylo (Greek : cup, any cup-shaped hollow) + rhiza (Gk: root); tuberculata (L: tuberculum – a small swelling; referring to the small swelling at the top of the animal's disk)

Disk size up to 35 cm, maximum reported 50 cm.

Morphologically it is characterized by a flattened region along its margin and has a dome at the center of its umbrella giving it the appearance of a large fried egg when viewed of above (see photos below). There are many, variable-length tentacles attached to eight lappets. It has eight oral arms which are brittle, short and fused proximally. Numerous blue or purple tipped appendages are located between each of the oral arms. These colors are due to the presence of unicellular symbiotic algae (zooxanthelle). In contrast to most jellyfishes has an ability to move on its own (does not necessarily follow water currents).

Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea

1.028 to 1.031

12-26oC (20oC)

Greatly varies between different locations

A winter (16oC) summer (20oC) annual cycle is beneficial to all temperate salt water animals, especially the ones which live close to the surface.

A bucket should be used to collect this animal - any attempt to net it may disrupt the delicate structures.

Not for the home aquarium, only public aquaria can hold this animal.

Strong light, day-night cycles very important.

Species tank - other medusae

Not suitable.

Only public aquaria can hold this animal. Needs a huge volume of water to move in. In small (home) tanks water movement from the filters may smash it on the walls of the tank.

Feeds on microplankton

The polyps start to bud at the beginning of spring. These larvae evolve/move in jellyfishes, which one meets only from July to November, frequently associated gigantic swarms, length of several kilometers. When a storm prevails, the jellyfishes gagnet bottom. But one also observes this type of migration of surface towards deep water independently of any climatic factor. The males become ripe are recognizable with the presence, in some their palpi, spermatic channels filled up of gamètes and colored in white, which will be released in the marine environment. Fecundation takes place inside the body of the females. Before their emission in the sea, the larvae remain a few times inside specialized oral arms, responsible for incubation. Then they will evolve/move in sedentary polyp.

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