Nettle

• Least Concern
• Population Growing

These jellyfish are spotted in Southern California in deep waters and are only brought in close to shore due to high winds. Their main diets consist of copepods, larval fish, fish eggs and other jellies. Unfortunately not much is known about their reproductive habits although researchers have attempted to incubate and hatch jelly eggs.
The jellyfish have symbiotic relationships with both larval and juvenile crabs. The crabs will stay until they are ready to move onto bottom feeding. Larval and juvenile butterfish use these jellies ad protection from other predators. When they swim their tentacles glide behind them. Their prey get caught in their tentacles and the jelly will draw the prey to their oral arm to eat. The Black Sea Nettle is not considered as toxic as its relative the Atlantic Sea Nettle. This jellyfish was not given a name until 71 years after discovery and is considered the largest of its kind.