Chrysaora colorata


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Distribution: 
Washington State to southern California.
Habitat: 
Oceanic and slope waters.
Size: 
150-700 mm bell diameter, as adults.
Diet: 
Small crustaceans, ctenophores, fish eggs and larvae, other gelatinous zooplankton.
Predators: 
Sunfish, sea turtles.
Useful Facts or Characters: 

Small specimens (< 120 mm) are pink with dark red tentacles. Larger jellies have a radial pattern of purple stripes on the bell surface. All have four spiraled oral arms.

Natural History: 

Common name is the purple striped jellyfish. They have a strong sting.  They are often infested with juvenile crabs. They can be seen year round in the San Diego area, but do not generally form large surface blooms.