| Cniderians | Sea jellies |
West Coast Sea Nettle
Chrysaora fuscescens
| Conservation Status: Safe for Now
- Aquarium of the Pacific, J. Leonard
- Cultured at the Aquarium of the Pacific from polyp to adult ephyrae
West coast sea nettles are in the class Scyphozoa, that of the jellies called true jellies. The genus name of sea nettle jellies, Chrysaora, comes from Greek mythology. Chrysaor, reportedly a giant, was the son of Poseidon and Medusa. His name translates as 'golden falchion'. A falchion was a commonly used curved fighting sword that could cut through armor, a reference to the stinging ability of these jellies. The west coast sea nettle’s species name, fuscescens, means dusky or dark referring to the dusky color of the nettle's bell.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Commonly in coastal waters of California and Oregon. Less common west to Japan, north to the Gulf of Alaska, and south to the Baja Peninsula.
- Amazing Facts
Pain caused by the sting of a west coast sea nettle is similar in intensity to that of a bee sting. It does not have serious effects except in those individuals who are sensitive to the toxin.
- At the Aquarium
The Aquarium habitat for west coast sea nettles is in the Northern Pacific Gallery. Our aquarists have successfully cultured this species for many years. It takes about three months to rear the jellies from polyps to ephyrae, the adult stage. We exhibit our Aquarium of the Pacific grown jellies and also share them with other aquariums.