Yes, there are jellyfish in Lake Annecy!
Since the beginning of July, the water in Lake Annecy has not or only slightly fallen below 20°C. Regularly above 25°C, it allows you to cool off against high temperatures. And if swimming among fish like pike and other amphibians doesn’t scare you, what will you say when you learn that jellyfish have already been seen in the lake?
Craspedacusta Swerbii, the freshwater jellyfish
It is only little known, but it grows well in lakes. The Craspedacusta Sowerbii is a freshwater jellyfish that has no name, except in Latin. We find it from time to time in the local newspapers, when it decides to make its appearance. Craspedacusta Sowerbii measures about 2 centimeters in diameter and weighs 4 grams, 99% of which is water. Like all jellyfish, its umbrella consists of four long tentacles and 400 small ones. Their stinging cells aim to kill plankton, which is their main one. If it was discovered in London in 1880 by Professor Sowerby, it is now present all over the world. Even in Lake Annecy or Lake Geneva.
Jellyfish already appeared in the lake
The answer is yes, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. A few specimens were observed several years ago, in 1989 and 1990. Some were even taken from the Marquisats beach side. If you are on your towel, drying off after swimming in the lake and you hesitate to go back, we can reassure you right away, these freshwater jellyfish are not poisonous. They develop randomly when the water temperature reaches 25°C or more. Before going back for a dip, arm yourself with your mask and your snorkel and open your eyes. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see one.
Discovering jellyfish in Thorens-Glières
For others, don’t panic. You can always catch up on the side of Thorens-Glières, at the Phil’Arts exhibition space. Photographer Charlotte Brasseau offers an exhibition from August 15 to 28 on the theme of jellyfish. The sought-after shots of the aquariums of La Rochelle and Paris. The exhibition is accessible from Wednesday to Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. So you can come back from vacation and say that you saw jellyfish in Annecy!