Giant jellyfish spotted in Agusan del Norte

Residents of a barangay in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, were astonished after a giant jellyfish was spotted floating along the shores.

The giant jellyfish measured about two feet long and was purple in color. According to Kuya Kim's "Ano Na?" series on "24 Oras," Tuesday, a resident, Mark Bolaño, decided to keep it temporarily under their house because a lot of kids swim in the area.

He eventually set it free after he made sure there were no more kids swimming along the shores.  

Kuya Kim explained that while it is called "jellyfish," a jellyfish is actually not a fish but an invertebrate under the phylum Cnidaria alongside sea anemone and corals.

He added that some experts prefer to call the creatures jellies or sea jellies instead. Around 95% of their bodies are made of water and a gelatine-like substance called mesoglea.

Marina biologist Serafin Geson III shared that the giant jellyfish spotted in Agusan del Norte may possibly be a Versuriga anadyomene.

"It’s an uncommon jellyfish usually found in tropical Indo-Pacific area waters. Mostly their habitats are in estuaries, 'yung parte ng dagat where it meets the rivers and some coral reef areas as well," he said.

"Not all of them are strong enough. Hindi nila kayang continuous mag-swim against the current. Kadalasan is mag-d-drift lang talaga 'yan sila. Usually napupunta sila ng malapit sa shore if ever high tide."

Geson also advised the public not to go near or touch any jellyfish due to their stings.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News