A Swarm of Spotted Jellyfish

The mesmerizing cluster of organisms floating in the dark is a swarm of Spotted Jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata). From my long tenure in marine biology, I have found that few sights are more captivating than these creatures when they appear in large numbers. Each individual possesses a distinctive, bell-shaped body adorned with white spots, and its oral arms are a thick, frilly mass used for feeding.

Spotted Jellyfish are unique in their locomotion, relying on their bells' powerful contractions to propel themselves with purpose, unlike the more passive drifters. Their diet consists of tiny zooplankton and crustacean larvae, which they capture using the stinging cells on their dense oral arms. This collective display is not only beautiful but also showcases their successful survival strategy as a highly resilient and adaptable species.