UK rarity, the Crystal Jellyfish turns up in Cornwall

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Check out these amazing photos of the rare Crystal Jellyfish (Aequoria sp.) taken by Claire Lewis of Cornwall Wildlife Trust in a rock pool on Looe Island.

Crystal jellyfish in a rock pool at Looe Island, Cornwall — Crystal Jellyfish, Photo by Claire Lewis. Looe Island.

Crystal Jellyfish are common in the northern Pacific Ocean but are rare in UK waters. These beautiful transparent creatures glow in the dark and can eat jellyfish bigger than themselves, but mostly feed on tiny marine animals called copepods. They sting their prey to catch them, but don’t worry, their sting isn’t usually powerful enough to cause more than redness and itching in humans.

Crystal jellyfish in a Cornish Rockpool. Looe Island. — Photo: Claire Lewis. Crystal Jellyfish on Looe Island

If you spot a Crystal Jellyfish on the beach or in the water, please do let me know. Try to take a photo and tell the Cornwall Wildlife Trust where and when you saw it.

Please note that Looe Island is a marine nature reserve and any visits must be booked through the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Comments

14 responses to “UK rarity, the Crystal Jellyfish turns up in Cornwall”

July 22, 2018

Adam Price

Hi I found one of these in the sea at ness cove Shaldon near teinmouth today completely see through the only discernable mark was a ring on the center that made it look like there was a hole in it

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1. July 22, 2018
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  Hi Adam, Yes, that does sound like a Crystal jelly. There are so many different jellyfish and medusae around this year – it’s fantastic. I’ll look out for crystal jellies around Cornwall – I haven’t seen one yet this year. Heathe
  
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September 23, 2019

Gracie

I found one at Blackrock sands in Wales, a month or so ago, it looked as if it had a hole in the middle, it was also completely clear but a few lines were visible on it.

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1. September 23, 2019
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  That does sound like a Crystal jelly. Lovely! They do come in sometimes but I don’t often see them. If you’d like me to look at photo for you, get in touch through my contact page and I can give you an email to send it to. 🙂
  
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July 16, 2020

Jade

We were at Ness Cove today in Shaldon and there were hundreds of them!! Even got stung by one of the buggers!

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1. July 25, 2020
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  Hi Jade, There have been unusually large numbers of crystal jellies this year, along with the usual jellyfish. They’re lovely to watch but these medusa and their relatives, the jellyfish, all have stinging tentacles… so not great for swimmers. I’ve swum head-first into compass jellyfish a few times so I can sympathise!
  
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December 23, 2020

Will Close-Ash

Spotted quite a few crystal jellies in whitely bay today 23/12/20

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1. December 31, 2020
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  Lovely! I usually see them in the summer if at all, but storms and currents can bring them in at any time of year. You never know what you might find. Happy rock pooling!
  
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February 1, 2022

Dr Paul Madgett

Feb 1st 2022 Saunton Sands, N Devon. Several crystal jellyfish found on low-tide strand-line this afternoon by members of Coastwise North Devon during a “Strand-Line Amble”. Never seen or heard of them before, but our leader, Dave Jenkins seemed familiar with them.

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1. March 10, 2022
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  Thank you for sharing Paul. Crystal jellies seem to have become more frequent visitors in recent years. I mostly see them in the summer months, so February is less usual – although storms can bring them in any time of year. There have been lots of sightings of very small Portuguese man o’ war colonies too. Keep me posted if you spot anything else that’s unusual – it’s always good to hear what people are finding.
  
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August 16, 2022

Rachael

Hi I swam at Readymoney beach and face to face with a crystal jellyfish! It was about 1pm level
With the pontoon ..

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1. August 17, 2022
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  Hi Rachael, That’s wonderful! Crystal jellies have been arriving in larger numbers in recent years and there are lots around this summer. They’re beautiful to watch. Thanks for sharing your sighting.
  
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August 27, 2022

Laura

Just found one at Bteakwater beach in Brixham being washed up- returned into deeper water.

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1. August 28, 2022
  
  Heather Buttivant
  
  That’s great Laura! There have been a lot of crystal jellies around this year and they seem to be turning up regularly now. They’re lovely to see. Thanks for sharing your sighting.
  
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