Facts: The Psychedelic Medusa (Crossota milsae)

Nicknamed the psychedelic medusa, this deep sea jellyfish was first described from the Pacific Ocean off of California and Hawaii. Since then, they have also been spotted in the Arctic Ocean and near Puerto Rico. These jellies usually live at depths below 3000 ft. They are generally observed near the seafloor and are quite small. Their bell only reaches about 1 inch wide. They are thought to feed by hovering above the seafloor with their tentacles extended and waiting for prey. Stinging nematocysts are clustered in rows around their tentacles. The nematocysts can deliver venom that is used to capture prey. Psychedelic medusae are viviparous. This means that unlike most jellies, they don't have a benthic polyp stage. Eggs begin to develop within a female's ovary and then burst out as small white spheres as they develop into juvenile medusae. Females brood the baby medusae. They reside on the inner surface of their mother's bell between her radial canals. The juveniles begin to develop tentacles while still attached. They reach about 6 mm wide before they separate from their mother. This is possibly an adaptation to the scarce resources in the deep sea. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!