Stinging Jellyfish

Jellyfish can be found throughout various waters in greater or lesser numbers. They are free swimming carnivores and can appear in deep or shallow, salt or fresh water. They have a translucent appearance and while they can propel themselves through the water, it appears they mostly follow the currents. They have a bowl like appearance with the ‘bottom’ of the bowl (or bell) actually leading as they actively maneuver. Fringes of tentacles hang from the lip of the bowl and aid in movement, food finding and subduing prey.

Jellyfish are carnivores generally feeding on a wide range of smaller ocean creatures. The larger the jellyfish, the more sizeable their prey. The Stinging Jellyfish off the shore of Southern Valorn reaches great lengths, with stingers capable of causing a great deal of damage, even to well-armored individuals. Even washed up on shore, jellyfish may be dangerous and it suggested individuals not touch them bare handed.

Ocean currents or an increase of food can aid in concentrating jellyfish into large blooms. At these times, hundreds or thousands of individual jellyfish may be found. Blooms can also come about due to high populations of jellyfish surviving their usual predators as well. Recently they appear to be endemic along the shoreline south of Dundee. The coral shoals seem to draw them and perhaps the presence of extra food has caused this bloom.

Scars caused by the Jellyfish sting tend to be long and stringy looking. Some will fade over time. In appearance they look like red-dyed string was laid on the flesh.

Jellyfish can be used as food if they are harvested, treated and salted for some days time. They are served after soaking them overnight and then eaten either cooked or raw. Currently, no commercial food serving place in Valorn, Kilican or Ethucan serve them.

Jaidyn “I think they’re misunderstood. Perhaps our presence is infringing on their habitat and it is just their innate means of survival that causes them to lash out at us when we intrude upon their territory.”