Hobby Question: Is an Upside-Down Jellyfish Safe in a Reef Aquarium?

Are upside-down Jellyfish reef safe? That is a good question. From the research that I have done on these creatures, I'd have to say not to get one. Upside-down jellyfish oftentimes do not survive long in a reef tank and they can sting. Most people that have been stung by them, do not have an adverse reaction to them, most just suffer from an itching sensation on the skin. For that reason alone I would not have one in my aquarium. I want to enjoy my aquarium world with not having to worry about getting zapped by a jellyfish.

However, if you really want to have one in your reef aquarium, it is best that you put it into a large tank. They can reach 12-14 inches in size so you need to provide a lot of space for them.

The best aquarium setup for these kinds of jellyfish is an aquarium with a wide sandy bottom. The sand layer should be thin. The best type of filter would be an external wet/dry filter. Just make sure that the water intake does not trap the jellyfish. They can easily get trapped by the intake and could cause them great harm. And you definitely will want to have a protein skimmer. A skimmer is absolutely needed to keep the water quality high. It is a must with this type of creature!

In addition, you will need to provide a low current in the aquarium. Metal halide lighting is generally recommended to help Upside-Down Jellyfish thrive, though some have had success with bright flourescent lighting. Brine shrimp are most commonly offered as food but this oftentimes is not needed.

So if you really want to add one to your reef aquarium hobby go ahead. Just remember they are sensitive creatures and in my personal opinion, they are best left in the ocean.