MARINE SPECIES

Nomad Jellyfish

About

The sting causes intense burning, redness, swelling and blister-like lesions that can last hours to days. Get out of the water without rubbing the area, rinse only with seawater (never fresh water), and seek medical help if you have a history of allergies, shortness of breath or widespread swelling. Don't touch it even when dead on the shore - the stinging apparatus stays active.

A large scyphozoan jellyfish with a hemispherical bell up to 60cm in diameter. Off-white to bluish in colour, with a distinctive blue-violet outline around the edge of the bell. It carries 8 fleshy oral arms with a lattice-like white pattern on the inside. It has no peripheral tentacles - the stinging apparatus is located on the bell and the oral arms.

Distribution and origin

A Lessepsian migrant. It entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. First recorded in Israel in 1976. Today it's spread across the entire Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the Ionian and as far as the Adriatic. Its spread is linked to rising sea temperatures.

Danger level

Moderate to high. The sting causes an immediate, intense burning sensation, redness, swelling and blister-like lesions. Symptoms can last from hours to days. People with a history of allergies should seek medical evaluation.

Treating a sting

Get out of the water without rubbing the area
Rinse only with seawater, never fresh water
Remove any tissue fragments with tweezers, not bare hands
Painkillers and antihistamines if needed
Seek medical help for shortness of breath, widespread swelling, dizziness or worsening symptoms

Ecological significance

An invasive species affecting local fishing, aquaculture and plankton. Blooms are mainly observed in the warmer months, July to October, especially after prolonged southerly winds.

A note

It should not be touched even when dead on the shore. The stinging apparatus remains active for hours after death.

View on Encyclopedia of Life

Photos

Useful Information

Ζώνη Βάθους: Ρηχά Νερά
Επίσης Γνωστό Ως: Nomad jellyfish
Επικινδυνότητα: Προσοχή
Ομάδα Είδους: Κνιδόζωα
Καλύτερη Περίοδος: Ιούλιος - Οκτώβριος
Επιστημονική Ονομασία: Rhopilema nomadica
Συχνότητα Εμφάνισης: Σπάνιο

About

Distribution and origin

Danger level

Treating a sting

Ecological significance

A note

Photos

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