Is the moon jellyfish dangerous to people?

No; the species A. aurita is not dangerous to humans.

Where is this species found?

The species currently identified as A. aurita is found in the north Atlantic and in Argentina.

Are moon jellyfish the same worldwide?

No; prior to the 2020s the taxon was treated as cosmopolitan, but it has since been split into at least 28 species.

What are common names for Aurelia aurita?

Common names include common jellyfish, moon jellyfish, moon jelly, and saucer jelly.

Has the classification of this jellyfish changed recently?

Yes; taxonomic revisions in the 2020s split the previously broad A. aurita taxon into multiple species, with at least 28 recognized.

Was A. aurita once considered cosmopolitan?

Yes; before the 2020s it was considered cosmopolitan, but the current species concept is more restricted.

Is A. aurita the only species in its genus?

No; A. aurita is the type species of the genus Aurelia, but the genus contains multiple species.

Where to See Moon Jellyfish While Diving

Q: What family does the moon jellyfish belong to?

It belongs to the family Ulmaridae and is the type species of the genus Aurelia.

Aurelia aurita is a species of true jellyfish in the family Ulmaridae and is the type species of the genus Aurelia. Before the 2020s the taxon was considered cosmopolitan, but it has since been split into at least 28 species. The species now identified as A. aurita is found in the north Atlantic and in Argentina. A. aurita is not dangerous to humans.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Zeeland (Oosterschelde and Grevelingenmeer), Fehmarn and the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Coast (Kiel and Lübeck Bay), Cape Town and countries such as Netherlands, Germany, Bulgaria for divers building trips around moon jellyfish.