Upside down jellyfish stings?

[fishoholic]

Just finished reading up on them and they sound like a bit a a PITA to care for plus they can sting fish and corals if they get to close.

More info if anyone is interested:

The Upside Down Jellyfish, also called the Cassiopeia Jellyfish, is so named because its flattened bell (head) rests on the bottom. It extends its frilly tentacles up into the water column where they capture planktonic food and absorb light that is used by photosynthetic algae that are housed in its body.

It also prefers a wide sandy bottom to the aquarium and requires high intensity light for photosynthesis to occur. It will not tolerate copper or high nitrates in the water, and since its body is composed of 95 to 98% water, sudden changes in salinity or pH can have radical consequences.

Its sting is mildly toxic; humans very rarely notice the sting. Care should still be taken though when handling it or while doing maintenance on the aquarium.

It will require daily supplemental feeding with zooplankton substitutes.

Another popular Jelly fish is the Upside Down Jelly fish, Cassiopea, which comes from the western Pacific Ocean around the Philippines and has been introduced to Hawaii (probably by ships around World War II). Cassiopea grows to about 8 inches / 20 cm in diameter. They are interesting because they often lay on the bottom of sandy flats in shallower water, but they are also capable of floating around. The Upside Down Jelly fish carries symbiotic algae for food and swimming upside down allows that algae to catch the rays of the sun necessary for photosynthesis. Cassiopea also feeds on micro plankton like most other Jelly fish.

Keeping Cassiopea jellyfish in captivity is comparatively common and this species is by far the most frequently kept jellyfish species among aquarists. It can occasionally even be found in ordinary pet stores. To keep Cassiopea jellyfish you will need an upwards water flow to allow the jellyfish to stay suspended close to the surface.

The filtration demands of the jelly fish will resemble those of a reef tank. The water quality must be very good for your jellyfish to live well. Multiple skimming (surface and protein) is strongly suggested. Very effective biological filtration is important and ammonia content should be kept at the lowest levels humanly possible. Ammonia is known to neutralize the poison of a jellyfish’s sting, and is believed to harm a lot more than just the venom in a jellyfish. You will also want decent mechanical filtration when keeping jellyfish in an aquarium.

The next big hurdle is feeding your jellyfish. They eat live plankton and a few other things in the wild. Again, you will have little luck on good supply from the local fish store. One thing often used (though not as good as their natural diet) is baby brine shrimp (1-2 days old) which can be hatched in large quantities. Plan on a second hobby in raising Brine shrimp.

And the final note, LIGHTING! Your Upside Down Jellyfish fish depends on strong rays for its symbiotic algae to photosynthesize. Metal Halide, and/or VHO lighting are highly recommended.

Now, if you are not discouraged from keeping jellyfish in your aquarium, good luck. Just remember that it will be more challenging (and rewarding) than most other marine life.

On a safety note… If stung, there are a number of means suggested to cool the sting, including ammonia and vinegar. If this does not help or you feel other effects that are above a “sting,” seek immediate medical attention. While the two species suggested above are condsidered “safe” for humans, it is possible to have an allergic reaction that is much worse than the normal symptoms. Always handle your jellyfish with great care to keep both of you happy and healthy!

The best aquarium setup for these jellyfish is an aquarium with a wide sandy bottom. The sand layer should be thin. An external wet/dry filter is best but the water intake should be protected to prevent the jelly from becoming trapped. Protein skimmers should be used to keep the water quality up.