Moon Jelly
Aurelia aurita
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A clear saucer of a jellyfish with four pale horseshoe rings, harmless to most people.
- Typical size
- 3–15 in across
- How often it turns up
- Common
- Collecting
- Check local rules
- Handling
- May irritate skin
Photograph living animals and leave them in place. Live take may be regulated by license, location or harvest method; parks and protected areas can prohibit removal.
Avoid direct contact with stranded jellies, especially if you are sensitive to stings; leave living animals in place.
How to tell it apart
- Translucent disc with four horseshoe-shaped gonad rings
- Short fringe of fine tentacles
- Up to a dinner plate across
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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