A cold water jelly goes on display at the Primorsky Aquarium.
A brown-banded moon jellyfish (Aurelia limbata) has been added to the “Sea of Japan/East Sea” exhibit. Though this cold water species inhabits the marine waters of Primorye, it is rather difficult to encounter its individuals in the wild. Unlike many other jellyfish species tending to swim near the surface, the brown-banded moon jellyfish lives at a depth of 20 meters and prefers temperatures around 5-6° С.
The exhibit has permanent residents: common jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). And though both species are members of the same genus, they look very different from each other – primarily because of their colouration: in the brown-banded moon jellyfish, marginal tentacles and oral arms are deep maroon,” said Marat Khaidarov, Principal Specialist at the Department of the Russian Far East Marine Organisms.
The Primorsky Aquarium runs a successful breeding program for jellyfish. Working as a well-oiled mechanism, a “jelly incubator” enables the Aquarium to enhance the collection of common jellyfish and tropical upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.) using its own capacities. Our specialists are planning to introduce two more species - Cyanea capillata and Aurelia limbata – into the captive breeding program.