Types of Jellyfish Around Majorca

Jellyfish are invertebrates which present special cells used to capture prey and to defend themselves. These cells have a poisonous capsule inside. When a prey or predator contacts with the jellyfish, the capsule opens and the cells stick to the prey injecting the poison. Jellyfish are usually transparent as they are 95% water, allowing them to camouflage easily.

They usually live 20 to 40 miles from the coast where the water has more salt and is warmer. If it has been a dry winter and rainfall has been low, the water at the beach may be of similar salt levels, thus providing a favourable environment for jellyfish. However, the main cause for an increase of jellyfish in an area are the marine currents and overfishing, especially when tortoises are captured, as these are the principle jellyfish predators in the Mediterranean.

Types of Jellyfish in the Mediterranean:

• Fried Egg Jellyfish / Medusa Huevo Frito (Cotylorhiza Tuberculata) – not really painful.

They are yellow and look like a fried egg, usually 17cm wide. They are common in the Mediterranean during summer and autumn. These jellyfish can sting and cause temporary itching but do not require medical assistance.

• Common Jellyfish / Medusa Común (Aurelia Aurita) – not very painful.

Round, like a cup, usually white with pink or blue tones and have long tentacles, they are usually 25cm wide. They are easy to find near the coast in Majorca. Contact causes irritation and itching. Applying ice may reduce symptoms, but medical assistance is not required.

• Compass Jellyfish / Medusa de Compases (Chrysaora Hysoscella) - painful.

Looks like an umbrella, usually white and yellow, they are around 20cm wide. They are not very common near the coast of Majorca, but live in the Mediterranean Sea. Causes an itching and burning sensation and can scar the skin for up to 3 weeks. 

• Shiff Arms Jellyfish / Aguamala (Rhizostoma Pulmo) - painful.

They are one of the more beautiful jellyfish in Majorca and are about 50cm wide. They are bluish with a purple ribbon and have 8 tentacles, which if touched causes pain, but no other effects. 

 Pink jellyfish (Pelagia Noctiluca) – painful and dangerous.

It is a 10cm fluorescent jellyfish, transparent with pink or purple tones. It has 16 long tentacles that can cause pain, burning, nausea and muscle cramps. They are not very common in Majorca, but if seen do not touch!

• Portuguese Man o’War / Fragata Portuguesa (Physalia Physalis) – very painful and extremely dangerous.

Not technically a jellyfish, but treated as one. The most dangerous sea creature found in the Mediterranean, but are not usually found in Majorca. It floats on the sea, has a purple colour and it is about 10cm high. Its tentacles can be 2 meters long and they are fast swimmers. They can cause extreme pain, fever, burns to the skin and neurological shock. Due to their dangerous nature, the Spanish Coastguard keeps watch for them and reports are issued on the local TV, radio and newspapers if they approach the coast. 

What to do if there are jellyfish at the beach?

1. Do not get in the water, keep an eye on the shore too.

2. If one jellyfish is spotted, there will probably be more around.

3. Do not touch them even when they appear dead. It takes 24 hours for the sun to deactivate their poison.

4. If stung:

a. Do not scratch the skin with sand or a towel.

b. Do not pour fresh water over the affected area.

c. Apply ice for 15 minutes. Ice must be inside a plastic bag to avoid fresh water melting onto the affected area. If the area is still painful, seek medical attention.