Mauve stinger Purple-striped jelly - Pelagia noctiluca

We are in Sardinia in the waters of Carloforte, Isola di S. Pietro, where we met numerous purple jellyfish of the species Pelagia noctiluca. Pelagia Noctiluca is one of the dangerous jellyfishes for humans, but having almost limited mobility, it is enough to have a good mask and a little care to avoid the stinging tentacles and then see it up close to photograph it or film it. Medusa Viola Pelagia noctiluca Mauve stinger purple jelly intotheblue.it

In the video you can see how this species also has predators. Some specimens in fact often result without tentacles or with partially broken tentacles. The reasons are many, of course, but in the clear waters of Carloforte which sink into the blue, we filmed some Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) eating and detaching the tentacles of the Pelagia Noctiluca with precise and surgical bites. Probably the Tanutes try to take advantage of “stealing” food directly from the tentacles of the jellyfish defying the poison, or they feed on them directly.

Pelagia noctiluca is endowed with stinging vesicles which are present both on the tentacles and on the umbrella-shaped part. These are used both for catching prey and for defensive purposes.

Nematocysts, or organs containing toxins, are literally shot at the victims. This mechanism works thanks to the water pressure that allows a very fast expulsion of the nematocysts.

The toxin present in nematocysts is toxic to the skin. Its contact with the skin produces an intense burning and leaves red lashes similar to lashes on the skin. These effects can last even for weeks. The reaction to contact with the tentacles of the luminous jellyfish is very subjective. If the affected area is small, the problem often resolves in a few days with sodium bicarbonate packs. Medusa Viola Pelagia noctiluca Mauve stinger purple jelly intotheblue.it

Medusa luminosa Pelagia noctiluca Mauve stinger Purple-striped jelly intoblue.it

When the area affected by the contact with the tentacles is large, more serious problems can occur. Headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing and even anaphylactic shock. These are the problems that can be encountered in the event of extensive contact with the tentacles of the Pelagia noctiluca.

https://www.animali-velenosi.it/animali-acquatici/pelagia-noctiluca-medusa-luminosa/ https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagia_noctiluca