Facts: The South American Sea Nettle

The South American sea nettle is a large jellyfish species that can be found along the South American coast. The range of these jellyfish extends from Ecuador, down the Pacific coast, to Chile, and up the Atlantic side to Uruguay. They are some of the largest jellyfish in their range. The bell is usually translucent or yellowish in color, The jellyfish possess 24 marginal tentacles and four long, frilly oral arms used for capturing prey. As the individuals grow larger, the oral arms tend to become curled. They are frequently found in upwelling areas where nutrient levels are high. South American sea nettles are generalist predators, feeding on a variety of zooplankton. Sea turtles often prey on these jellyfish. The abundance of South American sea nettles is highly seasonal, with large blooms often occurring in the summer. The species is strongly influenced by warm El Niño events that can trigger massive blooms, while cooler La Niña periods may see reduced populations. Like other sea nettles, they have a complex life cycle involving a swimming medusa stage and a sedentary polyp stage attached to the seafloor. High densities of South American sea nettles frequently cause issues for commercial fisheries by clogging fishing nets, damaging the quality of the catch, and even stinging fishers. Massive strandings on beaches during bloom years can impact coastal tourism. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!