Denizens of the Deep Sea
Chironex Fleckeri
Mode of Life:It swims freely in the water and alternately sink through the water pulsating vigorously like a muscular parachute. The muscles at the margin of the box squeeze consistently to drive it towards the surface and maintain buoyancy with the help of the mesoglea.
The powerful contraction which provide the stately motion is controlled by the loose nerve systems around the underside of the box without any controlling brain to aid coordination. It could swim in a burst of 5ft per second with a velocity of 2 m/s.
CF is a carnivore, though seems to be a passive predator. It actually feed on prey that blunders into its track but can as well seek out its victims. In fact, large active preys such as sergestid prawns, shrimps, small fish swimming invertebrates and even other jellyfish mostly those of Beroe species (comb jellies) all make nice meal for CF.
It has appendage called Pedalium, which acts as the 'feeding hands' to reel the foods into its gut after been stung to death with nematocysts inside the tentacles. Having no digestive tract, the cilia in the digestive cavity move water, gases, dissolved foods around before absorption. The digested food waste is later passed out through the same opening.
Systematics of Chironex Fleckeri
Morphology of Chironex Fleckeri
Life Cycle of Chironex Fleckeri
Behavior and Adaptation of Chironex Fleckeri