Aequorea vitrina
# Aequorea vitrina

Aequorea vitrina, commonly called the crystal jellyfish, crystal jelly, lampshade or disk jellyfish, is a species of hydrozoan in the family Aequoreidae.

The specific name vitrina means "glassy", due to its transparent appearance; it should not be confused with Aequorea victoria, which is also sometimes called the crystal jelly.

## Description

Aequorea vitrina in its medusa (adult) stage has a diameter of 10–17 cm (3.9–6.7 in); thick in the centre, gradually thinning towards margin. Its stomach is about half the width of the disc. It has 60–100 radial canals, its gonads extend along almost their entire length. It has 200+ tentacles, of 50 cm (1.6 ft) or more, and 1 or 2 statocysts between radial canals.

## Distribution

Aequorea vitrina is found in the neritic zone in waters surrounding Great Britain and Ireland and in the North Sea. In 2017 it was recorded in the Sea of Marmara as an invasive species.

## Behaviour

Feeds on brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis). It is bioluminescent due to aequorin and green fluorescent protein.

