General Description

Small, transparent bell in the shape of a witch's hat. There is a central cavity but no opening at the pointed end. Live animals have a string of tentacles that trail behind the swimming bell. Bell up to 2 cm long.

Biology

These animals sometimes wash ashore in large numbers. In these beach-washed remains, the tentacle trail is retracted or lost, leaving a transparent small cone. This species can be confused with small free-swimming sea squirts (known as salps) that have openings at both ends. They are more closely related to sea-floor dwelling hydroids than they are to other jellyfish.

Habitat

Open waters in tropical and temperate oceans, to depth of 300 m.

Open water

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Worldwide.

Species Group

Jellyfishes and allies › Jellyfishes

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

2 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Not known to be dangerous to humans.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

• Jellyfish and allies

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed