Aurelia solida

Aurelia solida is a hemispherical jellyfish that can reach a maximum width of 10.5 cm. It is characterized by its thick and solid body, which features eight simple marginal lobes. The mouth-arms are thin and narrow, resembling ribbands, with slightly folded margins. The jellyfish's marginal sense-clubs arise from deep grooves and point upward towards the exumbrella, which can help divers identify it among similar species. This species thrives in tropical waters, with a distribution range spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, including areas from Bermuda to Portugal and south to South Africa, as well as east to Australia. It is typically found in benthopelagic environments, indicating a preference for deeper waters above the ocean floor. Aurelia solida is a filter feeder, primarily consuming plankton and small invertebrates. Its reproductive cycle involves a complex life cycle, starting with eggs laid by the adult medusa. These eggs develop into free-living planulae, which then transform into scyphistomas and strobilae before becoming young medusae. Encounters with this jellyfish during dives are generally harmless, as it poses no threat to humans. Its presence in the water can be a unique sight for divers exploring tropical marine ecosystems. The conservation status of Aurelia solida has not been evaluated, and it does not have a specific common name.