Diving with Jellyfish
Lanta Marine Life | scyphozoa
The Scyphozoa, referred to as the true jellyfish, are related to corals and anemones (anthozoans), however they differ from these in having a more complex life cycle.
Most species of Scyphozoa have a life cycle which involves an alternation between sessile (fixed in one place) polyp phase and a free-swimming medusa stage, though the medusa stage, usually predominates. The medusa stage typically consists of an umbrella-shaped body with stinging tentacles around the edge. All Scyphozoa are called jellyfish in their free-swimming medusa phase.
As medusae, they eat a variety of crustaceans and fish, which they capture using stinging cells on their nematocysts. The nematocysts are located throughout the tentacles that radiate downward from the edge of the umbrella dome, and also cover the four or eight oral arms that hang down from the central mouth. Some species, however, are instead filter feeders, using their tentacles to strain plankton from the water.
Diving with Jellyfish around Koh Lanta
Scuba Diving & Snorkel Trips
If you'd love a chance to spot Jellyfish on one of our daily high season diving trips from Koh Lanta then send us an email to info@diveandrelax.com.
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Find Out More
Indo-Pacific Marine Life Guides
- Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
- Humann, P., DeLoach, N., (2010) Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications Inc., ISBN 978-1-878348-44-9
- Debelius, H. (2013) Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 978-3-939767-52-7.
- Debelius, H. (2004) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-51-1
- Erhardt, H., Knop, D. (2015) Corals Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-69-4.
- Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World