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Aurelia - CARE
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Aurelia should be fed 2-3 times daily using live newly hatched artemia shrimp (NHA) or enriched baby brine shrimp. You will know how much to feed after a bit of practice you will see their gastric cavity full of feed (surrounding the 4 x horse shoe shaped gonads). Overfeeding can lead to artemia clumps/balls of waste on the tank floor which will need a quick siphon to avoid tank pollution.
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Feeding can be carried out using a pipette, turkey baster or small jug. Ensure bubbles aren't entering the tank when feeding as these can get stuck under the bell causing feeding problems, deformities and bouyency issues. Large bubbles can be released by tipping the jellyfish upside-down
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Aurelia are delicate and sensitive jellyfish which ideally should be held in a stable environment. Increased temperature change can promote growth rate, but can also cause balling if it raises above 19 Deg C the optimum temperature is 16 Deg C. This can be kept stable using a suitable chiller in summer and heater in winter.
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If artificial salt water is being used ensure the water is well mixed (preferably over night) and mixed to a salinity of 33-36ppt. Coral salt is ideal as the high levels of calcium promote healthy pulse rates. The new water should be added slowly. Additional calcium can be provided if required.
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Aurelia do not require light but look fantastic under display lights. Please be aware the more intense the lighting is the more maintenance will be needed due to algae growth
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Tank maintenance is fairly low, one daily siphon is required and wipe surfaces only if necessary. If more intense cleaning is required (the spray bar or board needs cleaning) then it is best to remove all jellyfish from the tank into a suitably sized bucket, container or transport bag, Thoroughly clean and return when the tank is set-up correctly with ideal flow and surface bubbles have all been wiiped off.
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If you need to move the jellyfish use a suitably sized bucket/jug. You can move the jellyfish around the tank slowly using a fine mesh net or your hands but never remove them from the tank unless its supported by water within the bucket/jug as pressure on the bell may cause permanent damage
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Tank flow should be low-medium, enough to push the jellyfish around and but not too slow that the jellyfish become lazy and their pulse rate will slow or their tentacles may become tangled.
