Atlantic Sea Nettle

About

The Atlantic sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) is one of those species that immediately separates casual hobbyists from dedicated specialists. Native to the Atlantic seaboard from the Chesapeake Bay down through the Caribbean, this jellyfish thrives in open coastal and estuarine waters where it drifts on currents and snares small prey with trailing tentacles. In the aquarium it can range from a couple of inches across to nearly the size of a dinner plate, and the translucent bell edged with long, flowing tentacles makes it one of the more visually arresting invertebrates you can keep. That said, keeping one alive has almost nothing to do with water chemistry charts and everything to do with flow dynamics. Atlantic sea nettles absolutely require a kreisel tank. A purpose-built circular vessel that keeps the animal tumbling gently in a smooth current with no corners or intakes to damage the delicate bell. They cannot be housed with fish or most other tankmates, both for their own protection and because those trailing tentacles will sting anything they contact. Diet is carnivorous, typically finely minced seafood or purpose-formulated jellyfish food suspended in the water column. This is firmly advanced territory, but for keepers willing to invest in the right setup, it is deeply rewarding.