It is said that the fear of the sea is universal. And although in the beaches In Dénia you will hardly see sharks or other beasts that are the stuff of cinematic nightmares, it is true that one of the inhabitants of our waters can ruin a swim: jellyfish. However, most of the time the fear of them is unfounded, because, luckily, the most common ones on our coast are usually almost harmless.
The first thing you need to know about jellyfish is that they do not attack. Contact with them can be stinging, but it depends on whether the bather gets close to them. Most of them only move with the current, they let themselves go, or with the wind (those whose "sails" protrude from the surface). It is true that some species have filaments that can be very long, but the common thing is that in order for them to sting a person, they have had to collide with the jellyfish while swimming and not see it.
That said, the most common ones in Dénia, those with which bathers on our coast are already familiar, are usually not very dangerous. Some are more stinging than others, but in general they do not pose a major health risk. These are:
Fried egg
La Cotylorhiza tuberculata, or "fried egg" due to their appearance, are medium-sized jellyfish that are often seen off our coasts. They measure between 10 and 15 centimeters, lack tentacles and prefer the warm waters of late summer or early autumn. Of the usual ones in Dénia, this is one of the least dangerous of all, since it is little stinging and moves very slowly.
Bad water
La Rhizostoma pulmo It is the one that comes to mind when we, the residents of Dénia, think of a jellyfish. It is the most common, quite large, robust, white and with a violet edge. Unlike other jellyfish, it lacks long tentacles, and instead has eight thick oral arms that extend beneath the bell. Although its sting is mild and generally harmless to humans, its imposing size makes it very visible in the waters where it lives. They can appear between spring and autumn, and they really like our coast.
Velella
La Velella Velella, known as "velella" or "small boat of Saint Peter", measures around 7 cm and has an oval, translucent and intense blue body. The most distinctive feature of the velella is its small triangular "sail" that protrudes from its body, allowing it to move across the ocean surface driven by the wind. It is found in warm and temperate seas around the world and, although it has stinging cells, its bite is harmless to humans. It is known to form large groups that are sometimes washed ashore, creating impressive blue carpets in the sand.
blue button
Porpita porpita, known as "blue button", is the least common on the list although sightings have been reported on the coast of Dénia. It has a central floating disk of intense blue color, up to 5 centimeters in diameter, which allows it to stay on the surface of the water. Around this disk, numerous lighter blue tentacles extend, which it uses to capture small prey, such as plankton. Although its appearance is similar to that of a jellyfish, it is not a true jellyfish. Their sting is mild and generally poses no danger to humans.
Carnation
La Pelagia noctiluca, known as "luminescent jellyfish" or "carnation jellyfish", is a small and striking species that lives in warm and temperate waters, especially in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Its bell, about 10 centimeters in diameter, is semitransparent and pinkish or violet in color, with numerous stinging tentacles around it. This jellyfish is known for its ability to bioluminescent, emitting flashes of light when disturbed. The sting of the Pelagia noctiluca It can be painful to humans, causing skin irritation and, in some cases, more severe reactions.
box jellyfish
La Carybdea marsupialis It is a small but highly venomous jellyfish known as a "cubomedusa." Although they may be on the shore, they are difficult to see due to their size and transparency, and they move along the seabed during the day. It is easily identified by its cubic shape and its translucent body, which usually measures between 2 and 3 centimeters wide. From each of the corners of its square bell, long, thin tentacles emerge that contain powerful nematocysts that are not lethal, but are capable of causing painful stings in humans. Although it is small, its bite can cause severe reactions. The Carybdea marsupialis It is known for its active mobility and its ability to swim faster than other jellyfish.
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