Rare jellyfish spotted in Guiyang

Freshwater jellyfish were spotted bobbing around in a reservoir in Guiyang, Guizhou province, for the first time, on June 11.

Divers from the Guizhou Menglan Diving Center found the freshwater jellyfish and captured pictures of the rare creatures.

"We have seen different varieties of jellyfish, but recognized the freshwater jellyfish for the first time," said one diver. "About eight jellyfish floated around us when we were three meters underwater."

Freshwater jellyfish, which resemble transparent peach blossoms, are considered to be "living fossils." Scientists believe the species has existed relatively unchanged for 1.5 billion years.

The endangered creatures are highly sensitive to changes in the environment, only able to survive in unpolluted waters and at temperatures between 35 and 20 C.

Divers find freshwater jellyfish for the first time in a reservoir in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on June 11. [Photo/news.gog.cn]

A freshwater jellyfish, approximately three centimeters in diameter, floats around in a reservoir in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on June 11. [Photo/news.gog.cn]