TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Pelagiidae

Genus/species: Chrysaora colorata

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The adult purple-striped jellies are silvery white with deep-purple bands.The bell (body) of the jellyfish is up to one meter (3 ft) in diameter. The tentacles vary with the age of the individual, consisting typically of eight marginal long dark arms, and four central frilly oral arms.
Small specimens < 120 mm (4.7 in) are pink with dark red tentacles.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT:The adult purple-striped jellies are silvery white with deep-purple bands.The bell (body) of the jellyfish is up to one meter (3 ft) in diameter.

DIET: Zooplankton, including copepods, larval fish, ctenophores, salps, other jellies, fish eggs

REPRODUCTION: Jellies reproduce sexually and asexually.
In the adult, or medusa, jellyfish can reproduce sexually by releasing sperm and eggs into the water, forming a planula. In this larval stage of jellyfish life, which attaches to the bottom of a smooth rock or other structure and grows into another stage. The polyp resembles a miniature sea anemone. During this stage, which can last for several months or years, asexual reproduction occurs. The polyps clone themselves and budhat grows into the adult medusa jellyfish.

PREDATORS: Sunfish, sea turtles. Since divers have seen ocean sunfish eating these jellies, we know some fishes must be immune to the sting.

REMARKS: Young cancer crabs are often found clinging to this jelly, even inside the gut. The crab helps the jelly by eating the parasitic amphipods that feed on and damage the jelly.

The Purple-striped Jellies have a strong sting but isn’t fatal.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Animal Attractions 2018

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/42992188441/in/album-72157629304397467/

Monterey Bay Aquarium .org
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/invertebrates/purple-striped-jelly

Scripps Institute of Oceanography scripps.ucsd.edu/zooplanktonguide/species/chrysaora-colorata