Description:
The bell of this large jellyfish may reach approximately 20 inches  in diameter. Body color is typically a milky bluish or brown with many evenly distributed white spots. There are 8 thick, branching oral arms which bear large brown bundles of stinging cells at their ends.  Transparent, ribbon-like appendages hang from the oral arms. 

Habitat:
Though Australian spotted jellies contract their bells to propel themselves through the water, they are weak swimmers unable to overcome the effects of winds and water currents, and thus are considered to be planktonic.  They are typically found along coastlines, but enter bay mouths and estuaries on flood tides.  They appear to be most  prevalent when salinity exceeds 25 ppt, and when water temperatures exceed 20º C.

Range:
The natural range of this species includes Australia and the Indo-Pacific. It is believed that Australian spotted jellies were introduced to Hawaii and the continental U.S. in the ballast water of commercial ships.  They are known to occur in huge numbers in the Gulf of Mexico.  Australian spotted jellies were first discovered in the Indian River Lagoon in 2002, but have not been observed in high abundance.