Peach blossom jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii)

Invasive?

The jellyfish probably originated in the Yangtze River in China. How the freshwater jellyfish came to Europe is unclear - but probably as a stowaway of an imported pond plant. Since it reproduces asexually by division, it can spread rapidly. The freshwater jellyfish probably has no major ecological impact on native animal and plant species.

Where?

It is found in warm, clear, slow-moving and stagnant waters. Most of the time it lives in the polyp stage attached to plants. It needs water temperatures of at least 25°C to develop into a medusa. In warm summers the jellyfish often appear in masses, they are harmless to humans.

Appearance?

Their rather small whitish, transparent umbrella has a diameter of about 6 mm to 20 mm. It is the only species of the native cnidarians that besides the polyp stage has a medusa stage, so it looks like a classic jellyfish.