Sea Nettle Jellyfish

More Ocean Resources Beach Pictures Ocean Animals

Nowadays, anyone taking a walk along a beach or swim in the ocean probably encounters a jellyfish.

A decrease in jellyfish predators combined with favorable environmental conditions such as increased near shore algal blooms translates into increasing jellyfish blooms world wide.

While many jellyfish species are considered nuisances with either no sting or a mild sting, the Sea Nettle Jellyfish packs a medium to painful sting.

Two species are showing up more often on both the East Coast (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and West Coast (Chrysaora fuscescens).

Knowing what they look like onshore improves the probability of being able to avoid them and their sting. The top picture shows the rust colored marks of the East Coast species.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels