Invasion of jelly giants

Nov 29, 2002 by Mike Browne in Hmmmmmm

Monster ... a jellyfish off the coast of Japan
A DIVER takes a look at one of the thousands of monster jellyfish which have invaded a stretch of coastline.

The huge creatures are 3ft wide, 15ft long and weigh up to 320 lbs.

Fishermen’s catches have been halved by the biggest plague of the molophus nomurai for 44 years off Echizen, Japan.

The poison from the species’ tentacles discolours and sickens fish but is not lethal to humans.

Fishermen reported thousands of the giant jellyfish trapped in their nets.

Biologist Toru Yasuda said: “We don’t know what caused this, but it may be warm water temperatures.”

Thanks for the story Bill!

Comments

Nov 29, 2002, 15:15:53 Carol Browne wrote:

Holy crap. Now that's scary. Whenever I've gone swimming in the ocean and gone snorkling, I'm always afraid a shark will sneak up on me and CHOMP! Now, I'll be equally afraid of GIANT JELLY FISH. Oh god. Help me! EEEEKKKK! That makes my stomach tingle with fear.

Jul 16, 2003, 10:31:12 Rainy wrote:

I'v come across a jelly fish that is a rare fish he is like a vampire as a matter of fact its vampiretothus something all i know is he can turn himself inside out and look like a completely different fish altogether. has anyone heard of such a fish? let me know thanks....Rainy

Jul 16, 2003, 10:34:08 Rainy wrote:

I need to know if anyone has heard of a jelly fish called vampirethothus? i think thats how its spelled. or has anyone come across anything huge and venimous? well let me know..

Sep 07, 2006, 20:48:03 A1mega wrote:

Rainy,

I'm watching the "nature" show on KLCS Channel 58 (8-9 PM PST) right now. They are in a mini sub and going about 1 mile deep and they just showed about 1 minute worth of a live Vampirethothus (Vampiretothus?). Absolutely amazing animal!

I did a Google search and it seems that this blog is the only place the word is mentioned.

Mega Man

Sep 07, 2006, 20:53:19 A1mega wrote:

Rainy,

I just found out the name is spelled "Vampyroteuthis infernalis" and there are quite a few websites which describe this animal. Here is one place with good info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Another name for it is "Vampire Squid".

Mega Man