Are there jellyfish that don't sting? The truth is that stating that there are jellyfish that do not sting would not be entirely correct, since they all sting and produce a toxic substance, however,Not all of them have the same degree of toxicity Cnidarians are a diverse group of exclusively aquatic animals that are present to a greater extent in the sea, although there are also some species that live in bodies of sweet water. The name of the phylum comes from cells called "cnidocytes", equipped with a secretory organelle known as a "nematocyst", which produces a stinging substance, and in some cases very harmful, whose toxicity varies according to the species. In this sense, all cnidarians produce these defense substances and they are especially used for hunting.
Within the group we find the jellyfish, which are organized into different classes and are often very feared for their stings because there are species that are lethal to humans. However, there are also species whose level of toxicity is very low or even imperceptible to people, so in this article on our site we present information about jellyfish that do not stingor, rather, that they are really harmless to humans, since they truly bite all species.
Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
It is also known as the Mediterranean jellyfish, it belongs to the group of scyphozoans and is distributed throughout various maritime spaces in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Croatia, among others. In relation to other species of jellyfish, it has a medium size that ranges between 20 and 40 cm in length, while the umbrella has a diameter of 25 cm. Its common name is attributed to its resemblance to a fried egg when viewed from above.
It has a striking coloration, varying between shades of purple, white, blue, brown or orange depending on the region of the body. The toxicity of this species of jellyfish is very mild, even it may be imperceptible if a person has contact with it, so it is not usually dangerous.
Many-ribbed jellyfish (Aequorea forskalea)
This species of jellyfish belongs to the class of hydrozoans and, although it was initially identified in the Mediterranean, it is now known to have a wider distribution, which includes the South Africa, the North Sea and even Patagonia.
It is a jellyfish with a large and colorless umbrella, however, it has a peculiar feature and that is its luminescent capacity due to the presence of a protein that allows this reaction. The many-ribbed jellyfish is another type of cnidarian that has been reported as harmless to humans
Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Within the genus Aurelia there are several species known as moon jellyfish, being A. aurita one of the most common. This species is part of the class Scyphozoa and is present in many seas and oceans, including maritime areas of America, Asia, Europe, Australia and even some areas of Africa, indicating its wide distribution range in various thermal conditions.
The species has a diameter of 25-40 cm and is considered one of the most beautiful jellyfish. It is practically translucent, which allows it to be distinguished from other species based on its sexual organs, which are shaped like a horseshoe. The moon jellyfish can be considered a harmless type of jellyfish for humans, however, we must be careful because it is common to confuse it with other species that are toxic to people. For this reason, it is considered another of the jellyfish that do not sting or, rather, that does not cause damage in the event of a sting
Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
The lion's mane jellyfish is also in the class Scyphozoans and is a particular jellyfish due to its size, since it can become gigantic since some individuals measure around 1.8 meters in length. long, with a bell with a diameter of 30 to 80 cm. It is a beautiful cnidarian, combining colors such as purple, red or yellow, or pink and gold, a trait that gives it its common name.
Its most common distribution is along the coasts of Great Britain, but it extends to the cold waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and the Seas of the North and B altic. The lion's mane jellyfish, despite the significant size it can reach, is not usually dangerous to a he althy person, since its contact causes nothing more than irritation. However, because in certain areas it forms large groups, it is important to be careful.
Freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbyi)
It is also known as peach blossom jellyfish and, unlike all the species mentioned above, this lives in freshwater bodiesIt is part of the Hydrozoa class and is currently distributed on all continents, except Antarctica, making it a cosmopolitan species. It inhabits from natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers or reservoirs, to artificial spaces such as rock quarries with water or ponds.
It is a small animal, with a diameter of 5 to 22 mm. It is a transparent jellyfish, with a whitish to green tone in certain cases. Another peculiarity of the freshwater jellyfish is that, apparently, although its stinging cells do have an effect on its prey, in humans they do not cause any problem, so we could say that this is the most harmless species of jellyfish for humans.
Jellyfish are a group of fascinating animals, with peculiarities that distinguish them from other aquatic groups in a remarkable way. However, it is necessary to know how to handle the curiosity that usually arouses when we see them in the water or on the sand of the beach where some are stranded, because only a specialized person can identify a species of jellyfish and know if it is dangerous or not. for humans. The toxic substances that these cnidarians have become so powerful that even a dead individual out of the water is capable of keeping the chemical substances they produce active and causing damage. In this sense, it is vital to follow the recommendations of not bathing in waters where the presence of jellyfish is indicated and, in the event of an involuntary encounter involving physical contact, get out of the water soon and seek medical help.
Now that you know the jellyfish that do not sting, or rather the jellyfish harmless to humans, we encourage you to continue learning about these fascinating animals through these other articles:
- Types of jellyfish
- Jellyfish Curiosities
