Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2501248
Sea Walnut
Mnemiopsis leidyiAlso known as Warty Comb Jelly
Sea walnuts pulse through coastal waters using eight rows of tiny ciliary combs that refract sunlight into shimmering rainbow bands. Capable of self-fertilization and rapid reproduction, these transparent predators consume massive quantities of plankton and fish larvae each day. When disturbed at night, chemical reactions along their comb rows generate brilliant blue-green flashes of bioluminescence.
BioluminescentMarineTransparent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Copepods
- Fish Eggs
- Bivalve Larvae
Predators
- Ctenophore Beroe ovata
- Butterfish
- Leatherback Sea Turtle
ThreatsSudden temperature drops, low salinity, predatory ctenophores
HabitatsCoastal waters, estuaries, bays, brackish lagoons
Life span3–4 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLobata
- FamilyBolinopsidae
- GenusMnemiopsis
- SpeciesMnemiopsis leidyi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Nighttime Viewing: Gentle water movement triggers brilliant blue-green flashes of bioluminescence.
- Sunlight Spotting: Look near the water surface on calm days to see rainbow cilia refract light.
Predator no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Fraser Higgins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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