Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 5185419
Purple-striped Sea Nettle
Chrysaora colorataAlso known as Purple-striped Jelly, Purple Striped Jellyfish
Purple-striped sea nettles drift through California coastal currents with striking silvery bells adorned with deep violet radial stripes. Their trailing oral arms and dark tentacles extend several meters below, ensnaring planktonic prey and small fishes with stinging cells. Young cancer crabs often hitch a ride on the outer bell, feeding on tiny amphipods while sheltered from open-water predators.
MarinePelagicStriking
Licensed reference(c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Zooplankton
- Comb Jellies
- Fish Larvae
Predators
- Ocean Sunfish
- Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Chum Salmon
ThreatsOcean warming, marine plastic ingestion, coastal pollution
HabitatsPelagic waters, coastal ocean, bays
Life span1–2 years
Classification
- OrderSemaeostomeae
- FamilyPelagiidae
- GenusChrysaora
- SpeciesChrysaora colorata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Delivers a painful sting; avoid touching tentacles in the water or stranded on beaches.
- Why it is dangerous
- Nematocysts along tentacles inject toxins causing immediate burning pain, redness, and welts.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large silvery umbrella marked with distinct purple radial bands and trailing dark tentacles.
- What to do
- Maintain distance in ocean waters and never handle stranded specimens bare-rinse stings with saltwater or vinegar.
Responsible observation
- Safe Viewing: Observe safely from boats, docks, or public aquariums without contacting tentacles.
- Beach Safety: Steer clear of stranded specimens on sandy beaches, as stings remain active after death.
Predator U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Public domain · cc0
Symbiont (c) Lisa Zhang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lisa Zhang · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ed Bierman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) John Hepburn, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hepburn · cc-by
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