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How to Identify a Red Jelly Fish

Red jellyfish live in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 feet below the surface where the pitch-black water is about 37 degrees Fahrenheit. First observed in 2003, red jellyfish, or red jellies, are one of about 20 new species of jellyfish scientists have recorded during the past 25 years thanks to advances in deepwater exploration and technology. Scientists have collected only one red jellyfish specimen, but underwater cameras have captured photos and videos of this unusual invertebrate nicknamed, "Big Red." Sometimes confused with red-colored jellyfish, Big Red has unique features that make it easy to identify in photos and videos.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the shape and texture of the jellyfish. Many of the roughly 1,500 species of bowl or dome-shaped jellyfish are gelatinous, transparent animals that appear graceful and almost delicate as they ride the ocean currents. In contrast, the red jellyfish looks like a thick, blood-red bell with an opaque, meaty hide.
- 2
  Examine the backside of the jellyfish and count the number of arms.The red jellyfish is one of the few species of jellies without long flowing tentacles. Instead, it has four, or sometimes seven, fleshy arms that it uses to catch prey. Scientists have no explanation yet for why the number of arms vary on different red jellies.
- 3
  Try to estimate the size of the jellyfish in comparison to surround objects. Red jellyfish, or Big Reds, grow to about 3 feet in diameter. Although Big Reds are less than half the size of the massive Arctic lion jellyfish, they are still one of the larger species of jellies.
- 4
  Take a close look at the surface of the arms and body of the jellyfish. The tentacles of nearly all species of jellyfish have stingers that shoot venom that paralyzes their prey. Red jellyfish have stingers on their arms and on the surface of its bell-shaped body. The rough surface of red jellies resembles a human tongue.
- 5
  Check the geographical location of the jellyfish. Red jellies are found off the coast of California in Monterey Bay and also near Hawaii and Japan. Although they seem to like deep, cold water, no red jellies have been observed yet in the Atlantic.

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