Cannonball jellyfish

The Cannonball jellyfish, also known as the cabbage head jellyfish, is a mostly harmless (it's edible if you know how) variety that sometimes washes up on beaches in large numbers. It is shaped like half an egg and may be up to 7 inches in diameter. It may be bluish or yellowish with a brown border. It is a good swimmer.

The venom of the cannonball can give a mild sting, but generally, brushing against this jelly isn't enough to result in a sting. It goes without saying, that what would be a mild sting on the skin will be a very strong sting if the nematocysts get into your eyes.

"But make no mistake, a Cannonball Jelly can raise a welt, and bring a tear to your eye."

The Cannonball Jellyfish is considered a delicacy in Japan, but it must be prepared properly, which usually means it is dried. However, you must understand that to be edible, it must be harvested while still alive and healthy. The ones washed up on the beach should not be eaten because once they are beached they decompose rapidly. Yuck!

The cannonball jellyfish gets its name from its make that resembles the shape and size of a cannonball. It has a bell that is of the shape of a dome, and this is what gives it its look. Unlike most species of jellies, this one lacks tentacles, but is equipped with oral arms underneath the body. These arms have a dual purpose; they help in propelling the fish, and in foraging. Its bell is covered with pigmentation that may vary from brown to purple.

Below are several quotes from Dr. Courtney's email:
" There is a huge bloom of cannonballs off the Panama City to Pensacola coast every year, thick. We surfed the jetties at the entrance to St. Andrew's Bay. Paddling through the jellies was no issue. The small tuft of tentacles sticking out of the "ball" never seemed to sting us. When surfing, the skeg [surfboard fin] would hit them staccato, bap, bap, bap........ there were that many in the water."