The Spotted Filter Feeder

The beautiful creature drifting in the deep blue is a Spotted Jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata). In my long career observing marine life, this particular species is a fascinating subject of study because of its unique feeding habits. The bell, with its numerous white spots, has a translucent quality that allows the vibrant, cauliflower-like oral arms to stand out.

Unlike many of its relatives that use long tentacles to actively sting prey, this species is a filter feeder. Its dense, complex oral arms are perfectly structured to strain plankton from the water as it pulses. The spotted jellyfish also hosts symbiotic algae within its tissues, which produce nutrients from sunlight, making it a master of passive and opportunistic feeding in its environment.