Bay Nettle Jellyfish
Chrysaora chesapeakei
A smaller species of sea nettle found from New York through Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Until 2017, this species was considered synonymous with the Atlantic Sea Nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha). In the wild, specimens typically reach 5-6" diameter and several feet long. Color and pattern may vary greatly between geographic populations. Specimens from the Chesapeake Bay are almost always a pearly white color, whereas specimens from the Neuse and Pamlico rivers are often brilliantly patterned with burgundy and purple. Seasonal, but may persist in some warmer climates nearly year long.
A Bay Nettle from the Neuse River. The colors often match the rich tannin-dyed waters. Whether this serves the jellyfish a purpose or not is unkown.
Caring For Bay Nettle Jellyfish
Bay Nettles are a great species for the jellyfish aquarist looking for something more exotic than Moon Jellyfish. Very hardy, this species is fairly forgiving. Coming from brackish rivers and sounds, they are found in a wide variety of salinities from nearly freshwater to full ocean salinity. Ideally, they should be kept within the range listed in the chart below.
Stocking density: Bay Nettles have long tentacles that will often stretch out a foot or more, even in small specimens. If over stocked, they can frequently become tangled and knotted. To prevent this, it is important to keep your tank stocked at a low-medium stocking density. Long and spacious tank designs are ideal so the jellies have room to extend their tentacles. Exact quantity will vary on the design, but ideally, these should be stocked at 1-2 jellies per 5 gallon aquarium, 3-5 per 10 gallon aquarium and 6-7 per 20 gallon aquarium.
Flow: Coming from tidal rivers, Bay Nettles are used to large amounts of flow. In fact, flow affects their activity directly. When left without water movement, they will become lethargic and stop pulsing. Bay Nettles prefer to swim against the current. Dial your flow in so that these jellies are actively pulsing against the current, but not being blown around the aquarium.
Feeding: Bay Nettles will accept most types of food, and can be fed small-medium sized items. In the wild, this may end up being fish larvae, plankton, and other species of jellyfish. In captivity, a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp, and jellyfish pellet foods are all good options. They will gladly eat other species of jellyfish, such as moon jellies, but this doesn't seem to be a requirement for this species.
Temperature Range: 72-77 F
Salinity: 1.014-1.020 SG or 20-27 ppt
Life Stages
Polyps: Medium sized, champagne glass shaped with many, long tentacles. Reproduce asexually via podocyst formation.
Ephyra: Small, clear, delicate ephyra with pointed lappets.