Info
This small jellyfish is classified as an invasive species by Daisie (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) because it is now found in temperate waters around the world.
These animals originally come from the Yellow Sea, the South China Sea, and the Sea of Japan and were probably successfully spread by ballast water from ships.
The small jellyfish is not only tough when it comes to different temperatures, it also copes well with different salinity levels.
It occurs sessile on solid substrates and free-swimming in the oceans, feeding on very small zooplankton, which it catches with its up to 80 long tentacles equipped with stinging cells.
Swimmers and divers without a full-body suit should avoid the small jellyfish if possible, as its stinging cells can cause severe skin irritation.
The animal's bright orange gonads and four radial canals are particularly striking.
Caution:
After being stung by a jellyfish, the affected person should leave the water, as the sting causes severe pain, muscle cramps, breathing difficulties, and swelling. In extreme cases, anaphylactic shock may occur.
If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately!
If any tentacles of the jellyfish are still in the skin, they can be removed with tweezers or scraped off with a credit card, using only SEA WATER, never fresh water!!!!
Vinegar can also be used.
Do not apply pressure to the affected areas, as this can activate the stinging cells.
Cool the areas!
Synonyms:
Gonionemus agassizii Murbach & Shearer, 1902
Gonionemus depressum Goto, 1903
Gonionemus murbachii Mayer, 1901
Gonionemus oshoro Uchida, 1929
Gonionemus vindobonensis Joseph, 1918
Haleremita cumulans Schaudinn, 1894