Distinguishing Characteristics |
Bell rounded, ball-shaped, translucent, rigid, gelatinous; color whitish, milky, sometimes bottom of bell rimmed in brown pigment; rigid stalk extends from beneath the bell; attached to the end of stalk is a cluster of finger-like "oral arms" surrounding a mouth; no tentacles. |
Similar Species |
There are no other local species with a rigid, rounded bell like the cannonball jellyfish. An invasive species, the Australian spotted jellyfish (Physalia physalis), which has been caught in the northern Gulf coast and in Galveston Bay, has a round bell, especially in juveniles. They can be distinguished from the cannonballs by the whitish spots on its bell. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, floats near the surface |
Maximum Size |
25 cm (10 in) |
Other Common Names |
cabbagehead, jellyball |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Although the cabbagehead has no tentacles, it does have stinging cells inside its bell. The sting from a cabbagehead is very mild. These creatures can swim very fast. |