Malta recently had an unexpected visitor from the Southern Hemisphere—a stunning Phyllorhiza punctata, better known as the Australian spotted jellyfish! This creature, known for its translucent body sprinkled with white dots, was spotted by Billy Gauci, drifting in Maltese waters, making it a rare treat for marine enthusiasts.

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A post shared by Alan Deidun (@marinebiologymalta)

Native to the Pacific Ocean near Australia, this jellyfish is a long way from home! Despite its fairly large size, this jelly need not be feared. Its sting is so mild that it’s actually classified as a non-stinging species, so is thankfully not a threat to public health.

Though it’s unusual to see an Australian spotted jellyfish in Malta, it’s not the first time – that was back in 2017 via the Spot the Jellyfish campaign started by marine biologist Alan Deidun. So next time you’re near the sea, keep your eyes peeled—who knows what other surprises the ocean might bring! If you prefer to keep your feet on land, you could see a couple of these jellies at the National Aquarium in Qawra.

Ever seen a jellyfish like this before?