[OC] Chrysaora Fuscescens
Taken at the Vancouver Aquarium (Vancouver, Canada).
Since about the mid-20th century, C. fuscescens has proven to be a very popular cnidarian to feature at aquariums (and even some zoos with aquatic exhibits), mainly due to the public’s fascination with their bright colors and extremely long tentacles. Additionally, the species is known for being quite low-maintenance in captivity, when provided with the appropriate water parameters and conditions. When these medusae are actively thriving under ideal conditions, they can even be easily bred via the culturing of polyps.
The thumbnail on my phone cropped off the body of the jellyfish and I thought for sure I was looking at the smoke trail from the Challenger disaster.
Same!
Such fascinating creatures! Subjectively barely an animal, almost a plant, especially in polyp phase. But so beautiful, and able to navigate, feed and survive, despite not having a brain and barely any nervous system to speak of. They must be very efficient, that they can survive with such low grade hardware.