What kind of jellyfish are in gulf shores?

Answer 1

See a great jellyfish identification chart at Daulphin Island's Sea Lab.
http://dockwatch.disl.org/glossary.htm

Aurelia aurita - “moon jelly”, “figure-eight jelly”

Bell usually clear or with white tint, with pink or orange cloverleaf pattern in center. The cloverleaf typically has 4 lobes, but may have several more. Short tentacles around bell margin with curtain-like oral arms underneath bell. Bell size: usually seen from 3 to 20 inches in diameter. Mild to no sting.
  

Chrysaora quinquecirrha - “stinging nettle”

Semi-transparent bell typically with small white dots and reddish-brown stripes radiating from center of bell; in individuals without stripes, bell may appear more white or opaque. Long tentacles extend from bell margin and oral arms extend from underneath bell. Bell size: 1 to 12 inches in diameter. Painful sting.


Stomolophus meleagris - “cannonball jelly”, “cabbagehead jelly”

Rounded, rigid bell, milky in color with reddish-brown pattern becoming darker towards bell margin. Tentacles and oral arms are presented as a short, rigid stalk extending from underneath bell. Although typically reddish-brown, the pattern may be white instead. Size: the rounded bell gives these jellies ball-like appearances, from tennis ball size to soccer balls. Mild to no sting.


Mnemiopsis sp.  - “comb jelly”

Highly transparent, elongated body, round in cross-section, with semi-transparent rows running the length of the animal. Size: less than 1 inch to 4 inches. No sting.


Beroe spp. - “comb jelly”

Less transparent than M. leidyi (above), often reddish-brown or orange in color. These are more cone-shaped than elongated, like a half-football. More flat in cross-section than M. leidyi. Size: up to 6 inches. No sting.


Physalia physalis - “(Portuguese) man-o-war”

“Bell” is actually a gas-filled float, blue to purple in color. Tentacles are often dark red or purple and can be very long. These are usually seen floating on the water’s surface or washed up on the beach. Size: 1 to 12 inches, possibly bigger. Sting is very painful.


Phyllorhiza punctata - “(Australian) spotted jelly”
White, semi-transparent to opaque bell that is solid, but not as rigid as S. meleagris (above). Typically with white spots on bell. Frilly oral arms extend beneath bell. Size: fist to basketball sized. Mild to no sting.


Drymonema dalmatinum - “Big pink jelly”

“Pepto-bismol pink” bell and oral arms. Bell is flat, smooth, and rounded at margin. Extensive frilly oral arms and extremely long tentacles extend from beneath bell. Often seen floating upside-down at the surface. Bell size: 4 or 5 inches to 3 feet; oral arm mass is very dense and can span more than 4 feet. Sting is very painful to certain individuals; others may have no reaction.


Cyanea capillata - “Lion’s mane jelly”

Bell smooth with “ragged” edges resembling a many-pointed star when extended. Large individuals are deep red to purple in color, while smaller ones are more yellow or brown. Dense oral arm mass, similar to that of D. dalmatinum (above). Usually only seen in this area during cold winters. Bell size: up to 25 inches. Unpleasant sting lasts for several hours.


Pelagia noctiluca - “Purple jelly”

Rounded bell is often purple or yellow, with wart-like stinging structures on surface. Long oral arms and tentacles extend beneath bell. Bell size: up to 5 inches. Painful sting.


Hydromedusae
Highly transparent and hard to see unless closely examining water collections. Usually no larger than a nickel in size and come in a variety of shapes. May have a mild sting.



Velella velella - “By-the-wind sailor”
Dark blue, flat float keeps them at the surface. A membrane extends up from the float like a sail. Underneath the float is a colony of tiny brownish jelly-like animals (hydroids). Often seen floating in large patch resembling a raft. May be washed ashore. Size: float is usually less than 3 inches. No sting



Porpita porpita  - “Blue button"

Like V. velella (above), it has a float with a hydroid colony beneath. The float is hard and golden brown in color. The hydroid colony looks like tentacles and is turquoise to yellow. Size: usually less than 1.5 inches in diameter. No sting.



Carybdea alata - "Box jellyfish"

Bell round in cross section; typically taller than it is wide. Top of bell is flat. Bell is clear; the four tentacles are pink to yellow-pink. May have some additional brown coloration. Bell size: up to 9 inches in height. Sting is extremely painful and will cause prolonged problems.


Chiropsalmus spp. - "Sea wasp"

Bell is transparent; tentacles are pinkish to pale yellow, or colorless. Somewhat square in cross section, and slightly wider than tall. Top of bell is flat but rounded. Four clusters of tentacles. Bell size: up to 7 inches; tentacles may extend 9 feet. Dangerously venomous, lethal to children. (Not common in this area.)


Rhopilema verrilli - "Mushroom jellyfish"

Clear, translucent or creamy white bell, some reddish-brown pigmentation on bell margin. 48 lappets form bell margin. It does not have tentacles, but does have long, finger-like appendages extending from underneath the bell. Bell size: up to 20 inches in diameter. Mild to no sting


Tamoya haplonema - "Sea wasp"

Bell is square in cross section, elongate, somewhat rigid, flat on top, and transparent. Has 4 tentacles which can reach about 9 feet in length, and are milky-yellow in color. Bell size: up to 9 inches long. Dangerous, painful sting, but not lethal.


Aequorea aequorea - a hydromeduae

Bell is flat, solid and disk-shaped, about 1cm thick. One side of outer bell is lined with canals that feel like ridges. Has more tentacles than canals, all very fine, though often hard to see, especially if the specimen is found on the beach. Size: up to about 12 inches. No sting

1) If the gulf loop current is farther north than usual;

2) the gulf water temperature is higher earlier in the year, and;

3) the onshore wind is above average.

There will tend to be more jellyfish closer to shore in the months of late June through August.

See http://www.gulf-shores-alabama.html for more info