Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)

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Live Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) – Gulf of Maine Specimen
This is a wet, live, science specimen.

The Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) is one of the most graceful and widely recognized jellyfish species, known for its translucent bell and four white gonads forming a distinctive ring pattern. Collected seasonally from Maine’s bays and estuaries, these live specimens are ideal for research tanks, classroom study, and public aquarium display. Their gentle pulsating movement and simple beauty make them a stunning addition to any marine collection.

Common Name: Moon jellyfish
Scientific Name: Aurelia aurita
Locations: Across open oceans, bays, river estuaries, and coves
Seasonality: Collected in May and June
Colors: Clear with white gonads (rings)
Size: 3" – 12" across (customer can specify size)
Collected: By hand, dip net
Quantity: Sold by the each

Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to info@gulfofme.com.

Live Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) – Gulf of Maine Specimen
This is a wet, live, science specimen.

The Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) is one of the most graceful and widely recognized jellyfish species, known for its translucent bell and four white gonads forming a distinctive ring pattern. Collected seasonally from Maine’s bays and estuaries, these live specimens are ideal for research tanks, classroom study, and public aquarium display. Their gentle pulsating movement and simple beauty make them a stunning addition to any marine collection.

Common Name: Moon jellyfish
Scientific Name: Aurelia aurita
Locations: Across open oceans, bays, river estuaries, and coves
Seasonality: Collected in May and June
Colors: Clear with white gonads (rings)
Size: 3" – 12" across (customer can specify size)
Collected: By hand, dip net
Quantity: Sold by the each

Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to info@gulfofme.com.

This moon jelly was beached when the tide went out on a May afternoon. From afar, it looks like a little puddle of water. Upon closer inspection, it's a jelly! The tentacles of this one are tucked under its body as it lies flat like a pancake beside 100 others.

Tidepool Tim says,  “Moon jellies are an abundant seasonal phenomenon all along the Maine coast in early summer. They grow quickly, shed their spawn, and they are eaten by fish or just slowly disintegrate washing up on area beaches by the millions. The white rings that can be seen in a moon jelly are their gonads. their swimming action is very hypnotic and if one looks closely they can see a very fine fringe of tentacles around the bell of the jellyfish. We used to collect thousands of these jellies and preserve them for science supply companies. My kids and I would take the skiff out in the bay and dip up 200 or so into a pail, preserve them with formalin, and then seal the lids.  We'd do dozens of buckets each trip. It was good, clean family fishing fun!”