Cnidarians: Jellyfish and Sea Anemones
Cnidarians: Jellyfish, sea anemones and corals belong to this group of invertebrates.
Jellyfish:
It's really the only animal to fear here: I've been stung twice and it's really painful. Fortunately, it's rare. Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish generally appear after a mistral wind and then disappear within two or three days. The olindias (Olindias Phosphorica), with its bright red cross, is exceptional; I've only seen it once. As well as a large, unknown jellyfish a good 30 cm in diameter and the fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhizia tuberculata).
Green sea anemones (Anemonia veridis): They are numerous at La Croisette as well as at La Grande Pointe. They are yellow (despite their name...) and in mid-summer, the tips of the tentacles turn pink. The second photo shows the tiny fish that often shelter in the anemones: these White Gobies (Gobius bucchichi) are not afraid of the anemone's venom and are protected by its tentacles. The short film shows how they move with the waves and currents. The tentacles are stinging.
Films: Pelagia Jellyfish, Olindias Phosphorica Jellyfish and Green Sea Anemone
Pelagia Jellyfish: A nasty beast... but very pretty! Pelagia also has thin, invisible tentacles that are very long and therefore dangerous because the sting is painful and persistent.
Olindias Phosporica Jellyfish. A poor quality video, but it was a unique encounter with this extraordinary jellyfish...
Green sea anemone (which is actually yellow with sometimes pink tips): Very short video to see its movements in the waves.
