EL DORADO COUNTY (October 6, 2023) – Mysterious Appearance Raises Questions. Recently, a man discovered this species while paddleboarding in Stumpy Meadows Reservoir in Eldorado National Forest and shared his finding on social media.
Casey Neet and his 8-year-old daughter were surprised when they noticed hundreds of transparent white circular blobs floating peacefully in the freshwater. Initially, Neet thought they might be either pollen or egg sacks, but upon closer inspection, he realized that they were freshwater jellyfish.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not immediately respond to inquiries about the jellyfish.
Maura Santora, an aquatic biologist with the U.S. Forest Service, confirmed the identification of the species, stating that peach blossom fish have been observed in various parts of North America, albeit rarely in that specific area. Santora, who also consulted with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, expressed her surprise at finding them in Stumpy Meadows Reservoir after spending 9 years working in the Eldorado National Forest.
Preliminary research by the U.S. Geological Survey has already provided some insights into the unusual occurrence.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the freshwater jellyfish pose no threat to humans, and their small tentacles are unlikely to penetrate human skin. Although people have reported sightings of freshwater jellyfish in bodies of water within the Eldorado National Forest, not all of these reports have been verified, mentioned Santora.
The sudden presence of jellyfish in the reservoir ecosystem has raised concerns among locals regarding its impact on existing flora and fauna.
Originally from China, peach blossom fish are primarily concentrated along the East Coast, as indicated by a map from the USGS. While these small creatures have been observed in the American River and upper Cosumnes River, there have been no confirmed sightings in the Eldorado National Forest, according to the USGS.
Typically, peach blossom jellyfish attach themselves to boats and other recreational vessels, according to Santora. Since they are non-native to the area, Santora advises residents to clean, drain, and dry their aquatic equipment before moving from one body of water to another.
