Invertebrates
Egg Yolk Jelly
Phacellophora camtschatica · also called fried egg jellyfish
Resembling a fried egg drifting through coastal water, an egg yolk jelly preys heavily on other jellyfish while unwittingly sheltering small crabs and juvenile fish among its tentacles, safe from predators unwilling to risk the sting.
Overview
The egg yolk jelly, Phacellophora camtschatica, is a large coastal jellyfish native to ocean habitat recorded across the North Pacific. Its distinctive fried-egg appearance, role as a significant predator of other jellyfish, and habit of sheltering hitchhiking animals among its tentacles make it one of the more ecologically interesting and visually memorable jellyfish species found anywhere along the region’s coastline.
A predator that doubles as a shelter
While the egg yolk jelly hunts other jellyfish for food, it simultaneously offers protection to an entirely different set of animals, with small crabs and juvenile fish taking advantage of its stinging tentacles as a safe haven from their own predators.
Status
Not Evaluated, though the species remains a regular seasonal presence across suitable coastal ocean habitat in the North Pacific.
Egg Yolk Jelly: common questions
Why is it called the egg yolk jelly?
This species has a yellowish, bulging central mass surrounded by a broad, pale bell, an appearance distinctive enough to earn it the common nickname of the fried egg jellyfish.
What does the egg yolk jelly eat?
This species preys substantially on other species of jellyfish, making it an important predator within the wider jellyfish community, supplemented by small fish and zooplankton captured along the way.
Why do small animals shelter around the egg yolk jelly?
This species often carries small crabs, juvenile fish, and other hitchhiking animals sheltering safely among its tentacles, since most predators avoid coming close enough to risk being stung themselves.
Is the egg yolk jelly's sting dangerous to people?
This species delivers a sting that is generally mild for humans compared with some other jellyfish species, typically causing only minor irritation rather than serious harm.