Bay Nettle

Chrysaora chesapeakei

Chrysaora chesapeakei, commonly known as the Bay Nettle, is a species of sea nettle characterized by its centrally located mouth surrounded by long, lacy oral arms. It typically has a saucer-like shaped bell that is about 10 centimeters in diameter and features around twenty-four tentacles. This species can be distinguished from Chrysaora quinquecirrha, with which it was previously confused, by its smaller size and fewer tentacles. Bay Nettles are primarily found in the estuaries of the eastern United States, especially in the Chesapeake Bay, but they can also inhabit the open Gulf of Mexico and various bays along the U.S. east coast. The Bay Nettle is carnivorous, feeding on plankton and small marine invertebrates, including crustaceans and ctenophores. It plays a crucial role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by controlling the population of ctenophores, which can negatively impact local fisheries. The lifecycle of the Bay Nettle involves the mother jellyfish carrying fertilized eggs on her oral arms until they develop into planulae, which then attach to substrates like oyster shells to form polyps. Under favorable conditions, these polyps can asexually produce ephyrae that develop into medusae. Diving encounters with Bay Nettles can be common in their preferred habitats, where divers may observe their graceful movements in the water. While they possess a toxin capable of stinging, it is generally not fatal to humans unless an allergic reaction occurs.