Research help

[DBZgirl88]

[COLOR=#004a6f]I've been trying to find information about a certain aquatic species. I don't even know its name, and I would really appreciate anyone help in findind out the name of this species.

When I was around 5 or six, my family went on a camping trip by the arabian sea, and this is where I saw this species.

I think they might be some sort of jellyfish (that's what evryone called them). Hundreds of them would be washed up on sore. The sea was literally crawling with them, so we could'nt go swimming at all.

They are a bright, sky blue color, and even more jelly like than jelly fish, and unlike regular jellyfish, they have stubby flat triangular arms. They are pretty much just flat, sun shaped blue creatures.

Does anyone know what their scientific name is? Are they jelly fish or some other species?[/COLOR]

[Japan]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I can't really answer that for you, but you can start off researching about the biology that can be found in that sea, or, you can go on another route and research about the various different jellyfish species that are from that area. If you are in college, I'm sure that there are plenty of teachers to ask that. Or if you want, you can try to go to one of those homework help sites and look there. Good luck![/COLOR]

[DBZgirl88]

[COLOR=#004a6f][quote name='Japan_86][COLOR=DarkRed']I can't really answer that for you, but you can start off researching about the biology that can be found in that sea, or, you can go on another route and research about the various different jellyfish species that are from that area. If you are in college, I'm sure that there are plenty of teachers to ask that. Or if you want, you can try to go to one of those homework help sites and look there. Good luck![/COLOR][/quote]I've done extensive searches in google, well worded searches, and found nothing. I looked up arabian sea wildlife, but only vertebrates were on the list on animals.

I have no info on the creature except for its description and the place I saw it. If only I can find a complete listing of species both invertebrates and vertebrates found in the arabian sea.[/COLOR]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid]Well this site doesn't have a complete listing, but it does have over 300 pictures of different types of jellyfish. And if a picture looks familiar you just click on it for a slightly bigger picture and some information about the jellyfish. Just type in the word jellyfish at the bottom where it says search and it will bring up the pictures. You have to scroll to the bottom to click on the next page number as it doesn't always display it at the top though. So even if it only says there is one page of pictures, I've found that often if you scroll down to the bottom you will see that there is actually more pages you can view. Anyway, here's the link: [URL=http://www.imagequest3d.com/photos/jellyfish/index.htm][COLOR=DarkOrchid][B][U]Image Quest Marine[/U][/B][/COLOR][/URL] Hopefully it has what you are looking for. ^_^[/COLOR]

[ChibiHorsewoman]

[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]I've done extensive searches in google, well worded searches, and found nothing. I looked up arabian sea wildlife, but only vertebrates were on the list on animals.

I have no info on the creature except for its description and the place I saw it. If only I can find a complete listing of species both invertebrates and vertebrates found in the arabian sea.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[color=#9933ff][font=lucida calligraphy]Where abouts on the Arabian sea? My geographic knowledge of the Middle east is rather limited, but I'm willing to help. I majored in conservation when I did attend college so I have got to be able to think of something.[/color][/font]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1][SIZE=1]They sound to me like Blue Bottle Jellyfish. We used to have them in South Africa and also couldn't go swimming if they were in season.

I have a picture: [URL=http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/48456/IMGP7821.JPG][B]Blue Bottle[/B][/URL].

I've been stung by them a few times and it's absolutely horrid. I know that picture makes them look like balloons, but I'm pretty sure it was when they died that they, er, deflated.

Hope that helped. [/SIZE] [/SIZE]

[Gavin]

[quote name='Ezekiel][SIZE=1][SIZE=1]I know that picture makes them look like balloons, but I'm pretty sure it was when they died that they, er, deflated.[/SIZE'] [/SIZE][/quote]
[SIZE=1]
That would have been my thoughts as well from Chabi's original description, generally when jellyfish die, their entire body begin to shrivel making them look significantly different to their original form.

I'm afraid my zoological knowledge of Arabian jellyfish is rather poor, however the Bluebottle is in fact another name for the Portuguese Man o' War which is not a jellyfish. Can't be of help for what it is without having seen it, sorry Chabi. [/SIZE]

[Raiyuu]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]I thought the Portuguese Man O'War was enormous, with tentacles several metres long? The Blue Bottle picture Zeke posted didn't look much like a Man O'War to me, but I'm no expert on marine biology...[/FONT]

[Delta]

[COLOR=#656446]^ Man o' war floats can be as long as a few inches but their tentacles can reach up to a good 40-50 metres when stretched! At least that's what my diving instructor told me.

+++

Not much of a Biology geek but may I suggest two more suspect genera?

Try googling for the members of genus [i]Catostylus[/i], more specifically [url=http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/organism_images/lsl_bluejelly_m.jpg][i]Catostylus mosaicus[/i][/url]. May occur in *very* large blooms and according to [url=http://www.marine-medic.com/pages/thesis/thesisBreakup/appendixF.pdf] this documentation of jellyfish distribution[/url], it can be found floating about East Africa.

But since you found it in the Arabian Sea, I figured that your jelly's under "Oman" in the documentation. [i]Carybdea sp.[/i]'s got a good candidate: try [url=http://jellieszone.com/Output/Hydromedusae/bssn1_popup1-7.htm][i]Carybdea marsupialis[/i][/url]. [/COLOR]