Japanese Sea Nettleアカクラゲ

Species Data

Classification

Semaeostomeae / Pelagiidae Source

Distribution

Found in the northwest Pacific from northeastern Taiwan to Mutsu Bay in Aomori, Japan, typically appearing from spring to summer. Source

Did You Know?

• When dried, its venomous nematocysts can become airborne and trigger sneezing if inhaled, earning it the Japanese nickname "sneezing jellyfish." Source
• According to legend, the warlord Sanada Nobushige used powdered specimens of this jellyfish as a weapon, giving it the alternate nickname "Sanada jellyfish." Source
• When injured, it can restore its symmetry through a process called "symmetrization," reorganizing its remaining body parts rather than regenerating the lost tissue. Source

FAQ

Why is the Japanese sea nettle called the "sneezing jellyfish"?

When its body dries out, venomous nematocysts can become airborne, and inhaling them causes sneezing, which is how it earned the nickname in Japanese. Source

What does the Japanese sea nettle eat?

It feeds mainly on zooplankton when young, and as it grows it also preys on small fish, krill, and other jellyfish. Source

When can you see Japanese sea nettles in the wild?

They typically appear along Japanese coastlines from spring through summer. Source