Invasive species part 5 - Clinging Jellyfish - alien but not invasive

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In English the species name is “clinging jellyfish” in Swedish it is called “klängmedusa”.

The jellyfish originally comes from the northern and western parts of the Pacific Ocean but has spread to most of Europe’s sea areas, except in the Baltic Sea. They probably came along with the importation of live oysters.

An adult clinging jellyfish is 2 – 3 cm in diameter. Around their body they have up to 80 poisonous tentacles.

They are called “clinging” because the tentacles have sticky pads that allow them to cling to seaweed particularly well.

The poison can be quite painful, it is said, but not fatal. At least not in our waters.

Reportage: Lena Scherman
Photo: Tobias Dahlin

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