How to Identify a Slightly Stinging Purple Jellyfish

The Pelagia noctiluca, also called the slightly stinging purple jellyfish, is typically found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea or the Red Sea. Most often, the slightly stinging purple jellyfish can be found in Bermuda as well as in California. The jellyfish is also called a purple striped jelly and a mauve stinger.

Instructions

1. Examine the coloring of the jellyfish. If it is light purplish pink in color with a darker mauve tint around its outer edge, the species could be a slightly stinging purple jellyfish.

2. Inspect the jellyfish's tentacles. If it has 8 long and thin tentacles that are up to about 3 1/2 inches long, it could very well be a slightly stinging purple jellyfish.

3. Check to see if there is any light illuminating from the jellyfish, which will be more visible at night. Slightly stinging purple jellyfish will give off small flashes of light if affected by turbulence in the water, which is typically caused by waves or a ship moving through the water.

4. Take a look at the bell of the jellyfish. If the edges are frilled, it could be a slightly stinging purple jellyfish.

5. Look at the size of the jellyfish. Slightly stinging purple jellyfish can grow up to 15 inches or so across.

Tips & Warnings

• Use antihistamines to relieve the pain from a slightly stinging purple jellyfish sting.

• Stay clear of the slightly stinging purple jellyfish. Its sting is very potent and will cause painful blisters, possibly accompanied by fever.