Jellyfish are a fascinating specimen and full of beauty. If you dive into the sea and can see it, it is a true floating jewel that shines in brilliance and iridescent colors. If you are interested in these beautiful living beings, We will analyze how many types of jellyfish we can find in Spain and whether they are dangerous or not.
They are primitive beings that have populated the seas of the world over the years. On our Spanish coasts, we have the Atlantic and Mediterranean ocean as the most prone to reproduction. Today we know many specimens and even many of them continue to be observed, since they are still ignoring its aspects in biology and ecology. If more precise data were known, it would be possible to gain a more detailed understanding of their proliferation.
Jellyfish are part of the zoological group of cnidarians.
They are part of the zoological group of cnidarians, whose word comes from “Cnida"from the Greek meaning "nettle". Currently, there are up to 10.000 species of jellyfish known and it is a fairly simple being regarding its biology. They have a gastrovascular cavity to carry out digestion, where it also combines it with the excretory system and distribution of nutrients and oxygen. It is a being that has many nerve cells and 99% of these beings live in marine environments, since the other percent would be hydras, since we find them in fresh waters.
Jellyfish can instill terror by their bites. It is true that when their tentacles touch you and inject said venom, their reaction can be very annoying.
In their body they contain cnidocytes, some stinging cells that the jellyfish uses for food and defense. They are found mainly in their tentacles, whose cnidocytes contain a capsule with a spiny, coiled filament that contains said stinging shape to inject the protein venom. When There is physical contact with a living being, they react automatically and release their chemicals.
Contact is practically instantaneous and jellyfish with longer and denser tentacles are the ones that cause the most injuries. As a curious fact, jellyfish can cause stings even when they are dead.
How many types of jellyfish can we find in Spain?
There are numerous types of jellyfish on our coasts. The positive fact is that these jellyfish do not contain a poison that is potentially fatal or harmful to humans. Let's get to know the jellyfish that most inhabit our seas:
Cubomedusa or sea wasp
It is also known as Carybdea marsupialis, with the name “Cube” due to its cube shape in the head area. It has a virtually transparent appearance, which is difficult to detect in shallow water. It is mainly found in the Tropical Atlantic and part of the Mediterranean.
Its bite is painful and intense, with burns, muscle and joint pain. It can worsen with anxiety and vomiting. Also, if you want to know more about its characteristics, you can consult the types of jellyfish in Spain.
The Portuguese caravel
Known as Physalia physalis. It has an elongated shape with blue hues and tentacles that exceed up to ten meters. They are seen in the Atlantic area and Mediterranean areas. It is common to see them in the sand on a walk, by someone who has picked them up from the sea and removed them lifeless.
Its bite is very painful and a neurotoxic, cytotoxic and cardiotoxic venom, but it is not fatal. For more information about animals that bite, visit the article on marine animals and their care.
Pelagia noctiluca or luminescent jellyfish
This jellyfish is usually found in the western Mediterranean area and especially in spring and summer. It has a pink or reddish color and a bioluminescent hue, attractive to the eye.
Its bite is very painful, with burns, blisters, and in some cases, respiratory and digestive discomfort. If you're interested, you can learn more about other jellyfish species in the article about .
Chrysaora hysoscella
This jellyfish is also known as radiated acalephus or compass jellyfish. It can be seen in the waters of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, when the water is warm. It has a transparent, white, yellow appearance and adorned with 16 brown bands.
moon jellyfish
Known as Aurelia aurita, very common to find in the Mediterranean. It has a transparent, bluish body that reaches up to 40 cm in diameter, with four purple horseshoe-shaped reproductive organs. Its sting is mild, discomfort is felt and it becomes similar to a mild burn.
jellyfish fried egg
His scientific name is Cotylorhiza tuberculata, a jellyfish that lives in Mediterranean waters. It has a yellow and brown color, with a domed body, looking like a fried egg.
The bite is not serious, It causes irritation and itching, which is common. It's almost like an allergic reaction. It's very common to find it in late summer or early autumn on the Spanish coast.
Velella Vellella
This jellyfish has a peculiar shape, since it has the appearance of a sailing jellyfish or in the shape of a sea sail, with a rigid blue surface that acts as a sail thanks to the wind. Its sting is gentle, although like all jellyfish, it is preferable to avoid contact with it.
bulb jellyfish
This species is one of the few that does not cause a reaction upon contact. It does not have stinging cells and is therefore harmless. But, this jellyfish It is invasive and causes damage to many ecosystems, altering the food chain and biodiversity of the area. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic.
What can be done in case of a jellyfish sting?
It's something that worries you, but you have to keep calm and be patient so the pain goes away. You have to get out of the water and avoid rubbing the area with the towel, since the cells can expand or leave them on the towel to activate again.
If you locate the remains of tentacles, you must Remove them carefully, with tweezers or gloves. Afterwards, wash the area with salt water, not fresh, and apply cold water for 15 minutes. In this case, an ice pack on the area, but not about the bite.
In the relief centers set up on beaches, They will act according to the type of bite. If the injury has been caused by the Portuguese Man-of-War, heat will be applied instead of cold. In other cases, vinegar is applied, but with some specific species. Urine, ammonia or alcohol should not be applied because it can be a mistake and worsen the bite.
