A RARE and colourful jellyfish has gone on display in Newquay after being spotted at a local beach.
The bluefire jellyfish was seen by a teacher from Manor House Activity and Development Centre in St Issey during a rock pool ramble at Trevone Bay, near Padstow.
Realising the creature was a unique find, the teacher scooped it in to a bucket of seawater before showing it to Blue Reef aquarist, Lee Charnock, who was leading the ramble. "We've seen several washing up on local beaches over recent weeks but this is the first live specimen we've come across," said Lee who added it was now on display at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium.
"Full grown specimens can reach up to 15 centimetres in diameter and have metre-long stinging tentacles which they use to catch their prey."
Although the sting is deadly to its prey the jellyfish, which is normally seen in the waters around Scotland, is not a danger to humans.
"It is similar to the sensation of being stung by a nettle – although some people do react more strongly," he said.
Jellyfish are highly effective predators and capable of travelling great distances, despite having no brains or bones and are made up of 95 per cent water.
"At this time of year they also tend to be in the news as the warmer weather often brings with it large colonies of jellyfish which, combined with the summer holidays and more people in the water, can lead to problems," said Mr Charnock.
"Their large numbers can also affect industry; recently a Scottish power station was forced to close down after its intake pipes became blocked by thousands of jellyfish.
"As well as being incredible creatures in their own right, jellyfish also play a key role in the ecology of the critically-endangered leatherback sea turtle," he added.
Realising the creature was a unique find, the teacher scooped it in to a bucket of seawater before showing it to Blue Reef aquarist, Lee Charnock, who was leading the ramble. "We've seen several washing up on local beaches over recent weeks but this is the first live specimen we've come across," said Lee who added it was now on display at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium.
"Full grown specimens can reach up to 15 centimetres in diameter and have metre-long stinging tentacles which they use to catch their prey."
Although the sting is deadly to its prey the jellyfish, which is normally seen in the waters around Scotland, is not a danger to humans.
"It is similar to the sensation of being stung by a nettle – although some people do react more strongly," he said.
Jellyfish are highly effective predators and capable of travelling great distances, despite having no brains or bones and are made up of 95 per cent water.
"At this time of year they also tend to be in the news as the warmer weather often brings with it large colonies of jellyfish which, combined with the summer holidays and more people in the water, can lead to problems," said Mr Charnock.
"Their large numbers can also affect industry; recently a Scottish power station was forced to close down after its intake pipes became blocked by thousands of jellyfish.
"As well as being incredible creatures in their own right, jellyfish also play a key role in the ecology of the critically-endangered leatherback sea turtle," he added.
