Alatina
Alatina spp.
Alatina box jellyfish can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Often called the sea wasp, a reference to their severe sting. This however, does not do it full justice as Alatina stings can cause irukandji syndrome.
Caring for Alatina Box Jellyfish
Box jellyfish are tough to raise in captivity and Alatina are no exception. Polyp cultures of Alatina alata have been started by spawning wild caught adults. These polyps are easy to care for and readily produce medusae. But raising those baby jellies becomes the tough part. Some success has been made in growing them up to juveniles but I am not aware of any reared to adulthood yet.
Alatina morandini have a fascinating backstory. In 1999, Box jellyfish polyps were found growing in the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. Originally thought to be a Carybdea species, these were ultimately found to be an undescribed species of Alatina. Only later in 2002 and 2012 was this species observed in the wild for the first time. This phenomenon of discovering a novel species of jellyfish as a hitchiker in captivity is not unique to Alatina . It highlights just how important aquariums are for furthering our understanding of the natural world.
Life Stages
