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YahooCool! But do they sting like saltwater jellyfish if you touch them??
posted on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 4:46pm
Freshwater Jellyfish in Minnesota - Real or Fake?
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Jellyfish Video
A small freshwater jellyfish swims around a jar as science museum visitors look on.
Video by keithb
I have to admit that at first we thought it was a joke. We heard that a Science Museum volunteer had brought in a "freshwater jellyfish" to the Collector's Corner. We were even momentarily fooled when we looked at the jar full of water because it looked empty. However, as we peered closer we saw three amazing creatures about the size of a quarter bobbing around in a jar of Minnesota lake water.
Science Museum volunteer Will Hirsch and his neighbor Tim McDonough found these unique creatures in Lake Jane near the city of Lake Elmo, MN. What they found was the subject of a question to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources a couple years ago:
In August 2003 I was fishing on a Minnesota-Ontario border lake and noticed hundreds of round, translucent discs about the size of a quarter rising to the surface. The discs had an irregular bluish central pattern and were soft, flexible, and slimy. What were they?
Jim Collinge
Detroit LakesYou likely were looking at freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii), says DNR research scientist Gary Montz. These little animals grow attached to under-water surfaces for part of their lives, then form buds that turn into the floating form, called a medusa. Freshwater jellyfish can appear in large numbers in lakes during late summer. Like ocean jellyfish, they capture their food-mainly zooplankton-with stinging -tentacles. Unlike ocean jellyfish, they cannot sting or harm you.
So what Will and Tim had discovered was the medusa form of a Craspedacusta sowerbii. These little creatures have been reported in Minnesota and almost every other state in the continental US. These animals like still waters, so they won't be found in rivers or streams. As they float around they passively feed on even tinier animals that are found in almost all lakes called zooplankton. They are easiest to spot in August and September, so keep an eye out for them next time you go swimming or fishing at your local lake.
How do they reproduce? How did they get here? What kind of water do they live in? Researchers at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Japan, and Australia are all studying these strange creatures to come up with answers to these questions.
Have you seen a jellyfish in any of Minnesota's lakes?
(1 vote)
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
Freshwater jellyfish might sting. They do have the same stinging cells (cnidocytes) as the saltwater variety. However, according to the researchers at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
...we have no "hard" evidence that these organisms can penetrate human skin (though some have claimed otherwise).
posted on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 6:25pm
Hey..thanks for sharing..very interesting.
posted on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 8:40pm
we heard about freshwater jellyfish in South America. To be more specific in the Amazon River.
posted on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 8:44pm
Thanks for mentioning these jellyfish claudia. The jellyfish that lives in the Amazon River is the same species that we find here in Minnesota. These jellyfish were first documented by science when plants were brought back from British botanical expeditions to Brazil and Guiana. The jellyfish undoubtedly survived in the tanks used to carry the Giant Amazon Water Lily (Victoria amazonica) that went on display in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London in 1880.
However, our jellyfish is not originally native to the Amazon either. According to the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University it's indigenous locale is actually the Yangtze River Valley in China. So how did this little jellyfish move all over the world? The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, suspects that migratory birds may transport them across land when the jellyfish are in their dormant polyp state.
-----------------------------
bryan kennedy
Science Buzz Site Admin
posted on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 11:59pm
No way is there a jellyfish in minnesota! it just cant be true!
posted on Sat, 09/03/2005 - 1:28pm
It really is true. My wife and I were, like a previous commenter, canoeing in the BWCA (Ruby Lake, to be exact) just a week ago. We were pretty blown away by the hundreds of them we saw, as they bore such a clear resemblance to the saltwater jellyfish. Beautiful, beautiful creations.
Um, anybody ever try them deep-fried?
posted on Thu, 09/15/2005 - 2:53pm
that is awsume news i did a report on minnasota that should be concidered a state symbol will it be?
posted on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 7:29pm
It most like wasn't a fresh water jellyfish if it was swimming around alot. They tend to stick to rocks and eat water fleas that swim in the water. They sting it and then eat it.\r\n
posted on Thu, 05/04/2006 - 7:09pm
My cottage is in Muskoka, Ontario, and I noticed this weekend that we have many freshwater jellyfish. I wonder how they got to my lake?!
posted on Mon, 09/05/2005 - 7:02pm
I was just up in Haliburton, Ontario this weekend and we caught some of these jellyfish to prove that I really saw them. It was incredible, my daughter even took some to school today. HA HA. If I hadn't seen them for myself, I wouldn't have believed it either.
posted on Tue, 09/06/2005 - 9:25am
Might we find these in freshwater ponds also?
posted on Wed, 09/07/2005 - 11:46am
That's a good question. It seems that the jellyfish are able to live without water for some period of time if they are in the polyp form. So they might be found in bodies of water that periodically dry up.\r\n-----------------------------\r\nbryan kennedy\r\nScience Buzz Site Admin
posted on Wed, 09/07/2005 - 5:14pm
This page has more on the reproduction cycle of the freshwater jellyfish.
-----------------------------
bryan kennedy
Science Buzz Site Admin
posted on Mon, 09/12/2005 - 12:14pm
I am sad to report that the three live freshwater jellyfish that had been on display in a jar in the Collections Gallery died last week. The specimens may be preserved for the Science Museum's collections.
posted on Mon, 09/12/2005 - 8:49am
9-14-05 went out this evening and with our butterfly net were able to gather around 25 of these "jellyfish". They seem to be in 6-8 feet of water and are easy to spot if the water is like glass. Look on the sunnie side of your boat and look for air bubbles in the area. We had 5 gallon buckets and were able to reverse the net into the bucket and they came right out. Talked with a buddy who said 2 weekends ago he saw thousands in the water when he was fishing.I can't believe it myself! Too cool. on Lake Jane, Lake Elmo,Minnesota
posted on Wed, 09/14/2005 - 8:19pm
i saw a jellyfish in my lake! it was weird, because we live on a pretty small lake in the suburbs. i thought it was a plastic bag at first... it was all blobby and pretty near the banks of the lake. how could it have gotten there?
posted on Thu, 09/15/2005 - 4:30pm
Just seen these things this weekend in Round Lake located nearby McGregor. We seen hundreds if not thousands of these little things. VERY cool to see.
posted on Mon, 09/19/2005 - 11:00am
Nope. The freshwater jellyfish are quite abundant worldwide. You can check out the MnDNR website for a list of species that are endangered and/or threatened in Minnesota. Most notably this list includes the:
- The Canada Lynx (threatened)
- The Grey Wolf (threatened)
- The Bald Eagle (which despite its comeback is still considered to be threatened)
- Higgins eye pearlymussel (Endangered)
- Minnesota dwarf trout lily (Endangered)
- Karner blue butterfly (Endangered)
The MnDNR regularly conducts research into sensitive species in this state. Check out Minnesota Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program to find out how you can help out with this work.
posted on Fri, 01/13/2006 - 12:00pm
I believe there is no `freshwater jellyfish in Minnesota, because it is an not very unbelieveable thing- ya feels me?
posted on Sat, 01/21/2006 - 7:20pm
I HAVE one of these things! It is endlessly fascinating, but how do I find food for it? Can someone email me and tell me how to feed my little squishy? So far, I am just putting him in fresh lake water every few days. He is still alive after two weeks, but I want to be sure. He is about the size of a quarter when he is open (yes, I know it isn't really a "he") and can get so tiny when he is closed that the jar looks empty. The DNR in Minn was to call me with tips, but they never did. Thanks!!!!!
posted on Sat, 08/19/2006 - 9:06am
my family has a lake house in Indiana, we found 2 species that were exactly identical to jellyfish. they were the size of a quarter though.
posted on Tue, 09/05/2006 - 9:25pm
Very cool! I saw these a couple of years ago in a lake in Michigan while fishing. They are so transparent that it's easy to miss them. I believe it was early September and very warm out.
posted on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 1:01pm
I thought that i would mention the fact that these same jellyfish were spotted by me my dad and brother, in a lake up here in michigan. the lake is called selkirk lake, and is near wayland. when we saw these jellyfish was about two years ago, and there were THOUSANDS. so yea i just thought i would mention them being here too.... bye
posted on Sun, 04/08/2007 - 10:34am
Freshwater jellyfish show up in our lake in Ontario every 2-7 years. They're small-- about the size (and shape) of a contact lense. Our lake is fairly small and doesn't get deeper than about 50 feet. They like to float near the surface in the middle of the lake, and in a good year, there are thousands. They don't sting, and can be picked up with bare hands.
posted on Tue, 08/07/2007 - 6:13pm
Well we have em here in New Hampshire lakes too.
I just saw my first ones because there was a "bloom" yesterday, August 11, 2007.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Never heard of Freshwater jellyfish.
I have one of the little fellows in a plastic cup. I hope I can keep it alive.
If anyone knows how, please post it.
posted on Sun, 08/12/2007 - 3:14am
We have them on our lake too. I was out swimming on Saturday and saw nothing, but Sunday we had swarms of them on the lake. We live on a rather pristine electric motor lake that is spring fed and cooler and from some of my reading, it appears this is the type of lake they thrive in, but the first I have seen. I was too freaked to swim, because I didn't know if they were stinging or not (hence the research - guess I should feel free to swim again).
Does anyone know if they stick around long or this just a week long occurrence? Still just a bit skittish about swimming.....
posted on Mon, 08/27/2007 - 6:47am
Just wondering...I live in Canada. When the frost hits up here does that mean that the jellyfish die off???
Until another bird transfer them into our lake again??
Do these Jellyfish get eaten by the fish??
I really dont like to swim in the lake when I see them...its creepy.
posted on Tue, 08/28/2007 - 3:21pm
We found some of the fresh water jelly fish in Michigan , today is 9-3-07 , we where on Diamond lake near Hesperia, around 10:00 Am, Seen 100's maybe 1000's of them.
posted on Mon, 09/03/2007 - 6:12pm
I was visiting friends south of Jackson Michigan. The jellies were the size of a nickel and active. It was approx. 6pm on 9-3-07 when we saw them. There were hundreds of thousands. I've been scuba diving in inland lakes for years and had never had a sighting, neither had the lake house friends. way cool!
posted on Wed, 09/05/2007 - 7:38pm
My husband and I found some of these astonishing creatures in a small lake at the Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Barry County Michigan last year. We found some again this year in the same lake. I told my husband that they looked like jellyfish. He talked to a science teacher at The local middle school where he works. The science teacher did not think they were jellyfish---believing there were no freshwater jellyfish. We took some in to him and with a little research discovered that they were jellyfish. I was astounded when I first saw them, never having heard of fresh water jellyfish. I have been on many lakes in southwesten Michigan over the last 50 years and have never seen them before. Evidently there have been alot of sightings in this area lately---Selkirk Lake mentioned in an earlier posting is very close to Yankee Springs. Our local middle school is abuzz aboput this---something interesting for the kids to see as they start back to school.
posted on Wed, 09/05/2007 - 11:04pm
I will also vouch for seeing thousands of them in Diamond Lake, near White cloud Michigan.
posted on Thu, 09/06/2007 - 5:06pm
We saw some a couple weeks ago in Lake Dodo, near Cotton, Minnesota. It was really quite amazing - I had no idea that freshwater jellyfish existed, in Minnesota no less.
posted on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 3:14pm
My family and I have seen millions in our lake in Lapeer County, Mi. So many, that I wondered if it can be good for the lake.
posted on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 6:11pm
Oh my gosh I was researching this for a school project and i saw myself in the video, I remember seeing this that day and I'm the chubby kid with the green hat.
posted on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 5:08pm
WOW, thats me, im the kid that you first see in the video with the TCA tigers shirt one
and my friend is in it also(peter f.)
posted on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 6:31pm
Cool! How did you end up back on this page? Were you looking for information on freshwater jellyfish?
posted on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 9:28am
no, my friend Peter told me i was in the video so i went to the page after he gave me the URL
posted on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 7:08pm
My friend and i are on a quest this summer to find a pocket of these jellyfish he has spotted 2x in eastern ontario. What would be your advice if we think the creatures are of a different species?? Does canada have experts looking into these creatures?
posted on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:38pm
I know... jellyfish are totally awesome creatures. my favorite jellyfish are the pink ones! did you know: that jelly fish harden once they are dead and have drifted to shore? i was with my cousin on a beach and poked all of the jellyfish in the area...they were hard as a rock!! Amazing!!
posted on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:39pm
That's a great question! I'm affraid that don't know the answer to that one, but I highly doubt that someone would be able to find a jellyfish in Minnesota.
posted on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:47pm
unusual underwater aquatic organisms are so fascinating! who would've thought that there would be real LIVE jellyfish right in our surrounding communities? i believe that i will go into environmental studies when i grow up.
posted on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 3:54pm
ya they r real we hav them in ky i just 1st saw 1 yesterday and know im lookin up if they are piosinis
posted on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 5:46pm
Just spotted them in a small lake here in southern West Virginia. Couldn't believe my eyes! So had to run to the internet to research the finding. Wish I had caught some to observe.
posted on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 8:37pm
Found some last week in a small lake in PA! Does anyone know if they've been found in PA before?
posted on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 6:57am
My mother runs a campground on Selkirk Lake in Shelbyville, MI. I have witnessed the jelly fish in the Lake for over 30 years. They don't occur every year but have in recent years shown up in large numbers. I have video of them and my boys are always intrigued by the amount of jellyfih (Millions). They usually show up in early Sept. If you search youtube people are posting videos. From what heard they sit dormant on the bottom of lakes waiting for the water temp and food source to be just right.
posted on Sat, 12/20/2008 - 4:53pm
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