Rainbow Jellyfish Discovered

Photograph courtesy Martin George/QVMAG

Jellyfish expert Lisa Gershwin was swimming near the coast of Tasmania and noticed a colorful blob swimming nearby. She was able to safely photograph this specimen by placing it in a small aquarium called a “phototank.” This new jellyfish species doesn’t sting, but the 5-inch (13-centimeter) long creature is very delicate and touching it can cause it to shatter.

The rainbow glow on the jellyfish comes from light reflecting off the creature’s cilia. Cilia are small hairlike projections that the jellyfish uses to swim.

Read more about this bright spot in the ocean on National Geographic News.

Watch a video of other jellyfish species on National Geographic Kids.

Comments

smagana
April 2, 2009, 8:35 pm

I don’t bileve you.
gilly
April 8, 2009, 3:39 pm

smagana ok i have to agree with you
esteban95
April 17, 2009, 6:23 pm

hey! guys! it is real because it isn’t april fool’s day anymore!!
Anonymous
April 21, 2009, 9:37 am

Thisssss.
thing looks
Flyyy.
2LAUREN2
April 29, 2009, 7:11 pm

I THINK THAT RAINBOW JELLYFISH IS BEAUTIFUL I WISH I COULD SEE IT CLOSE UP!WOW!
pandalover
May 7, 2009, 5:13 pm

SHOCKING GET IT
grabbyfriu
May 11, 2009, 4:32 pm

Hey! That jellyfish looks soo cooooool! I wish i can have one as a pet! Though its very “shocking”! lol
boysrule
September 20, 2009, 12:03 pm

Dont touch it!
Oh, and how can it live if it is touched and it can shatter, water is one of the strongest elements. Water has a very larger force than a touch.
marineboy8991
September 30, 2009, 6:41 am

boysrule is right. It can’t be a jellyfish if it will “shatter” when you touch it because jellyfish are pretty much just concentrated sea water and sea water doesn’t “shatter” to the touch. Trust me, I go swimming at the beach all the time.
marineboy8991
September 30, 2009, 6:49 am

actually boysrule, your not right, it can survive in the ocean because like in my last entry, jellyfish are pretty much concentrated sea water so sea water can’t “shatter” it. But i still think it can’t “shatter” when you touch it
setyono
November 7, 2009, 12:02 am

when I was in holiday with my mom, I found some blue jelly fish are shored along the sea shore. I was unintentionally I put the tentacle on my left hand, it was hot and bunt on my hand. But in another day I also found a purple jelly fish, but it didn’t sting. I glad to know that you’ve found new species of jelly fish. I do hope someday I also could find it near my sea, rainbow jelly fish is a sophisticated among others.
marinevet
January 6, 2010, 11:30 pm

ok. @boysrule, you are wrong. it can shatter, and if it is said so by the person who discovered it, then i think that is right, you can’t just assume it doesn’t shatter because you don’t think so. it said it shatters from the touch of the net, it’s outer layer of cells might not be able to sustain its weight when its pulled out of the water, and therefore it would fall apart.
akbratt
February 26, 2010, 12:34 am

yo chyann its breanna this is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol look for dolphin pics 4 me and you =)
akbratt
February 26, 2010, 12:36 am

u need to put more info about rainbow jellyfish i have a essay due on friday =(
didit
November 17, 2010, 10:02 pm

I THINK THOSE TYPES OF JELLY FISH WILL BE EXTINCED PRETTY SOON
riny00045
January 26, 2012, 7:13 pm

Fake so sad