Atolla Jelly

Published on Aug 24, 2015

Atolla jellyfish, or Coronate medusa, is a species of deepsea crown jellyfish (Schyphozoa: Coronatae). It typically has 22 tentacles and one long trailing hypertrophied tentacle, which is thought to facilitate prey capture and reproduction. It's deep red colour makes it almost invisible unless threatened. When attacked, it will launch a series of circular flashes. Scientists theorise that jellyfish use this response to attract large animals who will eat jellyfish predators. This has earned the Atolla the nickname, "alarm jellyfish". Another theory is that the flashes distract and frighten the attacker.