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.