Invisible Gems: The Freshwater Jellyfish of WV

Picture it: a balmy August afternoon, sinking into evening. Your bare feet dangle from a sun-baked dock, toes trailing in the water. The water breaks for fish and frogs, water striders racing by. Many flora and fauna make up the ecosystem in this murky little lake, but there’s one particular creature you may not have noticed.

If someone had told me one week ago that freshwater jellyfish were a thing, I probably would not have dismissed it as food-grade bologna. Now, if someone had followed up that claim with “You can find them in a bunch of places in West Virginia,” I would either have laughed, been amazed, or had some degree of reaction in-between (roll a d20, folks). I’m here to tell you something that might not blow your mind, but it absolutely made my day.

According Sam Kirk’s article on WBOY and the United States Geological Survey (yes, I consulted ancient texts for this knowledge), it’s speculated that these little guys hitchhiked to the United States with plants and other aquatic animals brought over from China, where they are known as “peach blossom fish.” Their diameter can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a nickel, and they easily fly under the radar as they are nearly transparent. So far, they can be found in 26 counties in West Virginia alone, living in bodies of water ranging from Cheat Lake to private ponds, and they can be found in more than 40 states nationwide. The first reports of their sightings arose in the late 1800’s.

One’s phobia of jellyfish may stem from the fear of their very spicy tentacles, a totally understandable reaction when you consider other species of jellyfish that can kill a human with its sting (we’re looking at you, Irukandji jellyfish). But good news, everyone! There have been no reported cases of stings from our little freshwater neighbors in the United States. Though this news may not necessarily spell relief to someone who’s had experience with the more trigger-happy saltwater variety of jellyfish, the freshwater jellyfish’s 400 tiny tentacles cannot pierce your skin and are only used to sting their prey!

So if you plan to go swimming in any of the bodies of water they’ve been found in during late summer- and let’s face it, who doesn’t like a refreshing swim in late summer?- don’t worry: you may encounter them, but they are not out to bite ya!