Fried-egg jellyfish ­spotted in various areas

The non-stinging fried egg jellyfish, Cotylorhiza tuberculata, has been spotted over the past few days in a number of coastal areas, especially to the northeast, Sliema and St Paul’s Bay.

Despite its size, the fried egg jellyfish is innocuous and its occurrence is short-lived, normally extending till the start of October at most.

The non-stinging species – with its purple, bulbous tentacles and a dark yellow bell, which can reach a diameter of 30 centimetres – is popular with divers and snorkellers. Mackerel offspring are often seen sheltering among the purple-tipped tentacles of the jellyfish.

The species are also known in Maltese as Tal-lampuki, with reference to the dolphin fish, and also as Qassata.

A total of 14 gelatinous plankton species have been recorded so far as part of the Spot The Jellyfish initiative coordinated by Alan Deidun and staff of the International Ocean Institute – Malta Operational Centre. This citizen science approach relies on the collaboration of the ­public, mariners and divers to record the presence and location of different jellyfish. Information can be downloaded from www.ioikids.net/jellyfish.

A jellyfish photography competition is also being held jointly with Din l-Art Ħelwa. Submissions can be sent to alan.deidun@um.edu.mt and to Stanley Farrugia Randon on sfarran@maltanet.net until September 15.